KG
Photo: Stewart Dawson—CC BY 2.0
Kara Goucher
USAWomenBirth dateJul 9, 1978
BirthplaceQueens, United States
Height1.70 m
Weight56 kg
Kara Goucher (born Kara Grgas on July 9, 1978) is an American long-distance runner, author, television commentator, and podcaster.
She was the 10,000 meters silver medalist at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics and represented the USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics. She made her marathon debut in 2008 and finished third the following year at the Boston Marathon.
She competed collegiately for the University of Colorado and was a three-time NCAA champion (twice in track and once in cross country).
Key facts
Medals
World Championships: 1 silver
Age
48 years old
As of Sep 16, 2026: 10 000 m 30:55.16 (#142 all-time), 3000 m 8:34.99 (#162 all-time), 2018 season best 1:18:17 (Jun 16, 2018, Duluth, MN (USA)) · World Championships: 1 silver · 48 years old
PB
Personal bests
2:06.79
4:33.19
11:05.31
15:58
5:41.28
8:46.65
32:46
53:16
4:33.19
17:37.21
9:41.32
🏅
Medals
| 🥇 | 🥈 | 🥉 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | - | 1 | - | 1 |
Performance Charts
Season bests
| Season | Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Trend | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Semi | 1:18:17 | - | Jun 16, 2018 | ↓ | Duluth Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon |
| 2017 | Semi | 1:15:14 | - | Jun 17, 2017 | ↓ | Duluth, MN (USA) |
| 2016 | Marathon | 2:30:30 | - | Feb 13, 2016 | ↓ | Los Angeles, CA (USA) |
| 2015 | 5000m | 15:40.81 | - | Jun 13, 2015 | ↑ | Portland, OR (USA) |
| 2015 | 10MilesRoa | 54:54 | - | Oct 4, 2015 | ↓ | St. Paul (USA) |
| 2015 | Semi | 1:11:10 | - | Dec 6, 2015 | ↓ | San Antonio, TX (USA) |
| 2014 | Semi | 1:11:41 | - | Sep 20, 2014 | ↓ | Philadelphia, PA (USA) |
| 2014 | Marathon | 2:37:03 | - | Nov 2, 2014 | ↓ | New York, NY (USA) |
| 2013 | 10000m | 31:46.64 | - | Mar 29, 2013 | ↑ | Palo Alto, CA (USA) |
| 2013 | Semi | 1:11:49 | - | Feb 24, 2013 | ↓ | New Orleans, LA (USA) |
| 2013 | Marathon | 2:28:11 | - | Apr 15, 2013 | ↓ | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 2012 | 10MilesRoa | 53:56 | - | Oct 7, 2012 | ↓ | St. Paul (USA) |
| 2012 | Semi | 1:09:12 | - | Mar 18, 2012 | ↓ | New York, NY (USA) |
| 2012 | Marathon | 2:26:06 | - | Jan 14, 2012 | ↓ | Houston, TX (USA) |
| 2011 | 1500m | 4:11.88 | - | Jul 1, 2011 | ↑ | Burnaby (CAN) |
| 2011 | 5000m | 15:11.47 | - | Jun 3, 2011 | ↑ | Eugene Prefontaine Classic |
| 2011 | 10000m | 31:16.65 | - | Jun 23, 2011 | ↑ | Hayward Field, Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2011 | Semi | 1:09:03 | - | Mar 20, 2011 | ↓ | New York, NY (USA) |
| 2011 | Marathon | 2:24:52 | - | Apr 18, 2011 | ↓ | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 2009 | 800m | 2:06.79 | - | May 28, 2009 | ↑ | Beaverton, OR (USA) |
| 2009 | 1500m | 4:09.77 | - | Jun 14, 2009 | ↑ | Burnaby (CAN) |
| 2009 | Mile | 4:33.19 | - | Jan 30, 2009 | ↑ | MSG, New York, NY (USA) (i) |
| 2009 | mile-short-track | 4:33.19 | - | Jan 30, 2009 | ↑ | MSG, New York, NY (USA) (i) |
| 2009 | 2000m | 5:41.28 | - | Jun 7, 2009 | - | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2009 | 3000m | 8:46.65 | - | Feb 7, 2009 | ↑ | Boston, MA (USA) (i) |
| 2009 | 3000m-short-track | 8:46.65 | - | Feb 7, 2009 | ↑ | Boston, MA (USA) (i) |
| 2009 | 5000m | 15:20.94 | - | Jun 26, 2009 | ↑ | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2009 | Semi | 1:08:05 | - | Aug 2, 2009 | ↓ | Chicago, IL (USA) |
| 2009 | Marathon | 2:27:48 | - | Aug 23, 2009 | ↓ | IAAF World Championships |
| 2008 | 1500m | 4:06.17 | - | Jun 21, 2008 | ↑ | Burnaby (CAN) |
| 2008 | mile-short-track | 4:36.03 | - | Feb 1, 2008 | ↑ | MSG, New York, NY (USA) (i) |
| 2008 | Mile | 4:36.03 | - | Feb 1, 2008 | ↑ | MSG, New York, NY (USA) (i) |
| 2008 | 3000m-short-track | 8:57.53 | - | Feb 16, 2008 | ↑ | National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i) |
| 2008 | 3000m | 8:57.53 | - | Feb 16, 2008 | ↑ | National Indoor Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i) |
| 2008 | 5000m | 14:58.10 | - | Jun 8, 2008 | ↑ | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2008 | 10000m | 30:55.16 | - | Aug 15, 2008 | ↑ | The XXIX Olympic Games, National Stadium, Beijing |
| 2008 | 10MilesRoa | 53:16 | - | Oct 5, 2008 | ↓ | St. Paul (USA) |
| 2008 | Marathon | 2:25:53 | - | Nov 2, 2008 | ↓ | New York, NY (USA) |
| 2007 | 800m | 2:08.60 | - | Apr 7, 2007 | ↑ | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2007 | 1500m | 4:10.29 | - | Jun 10, 2007 | ↑ | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2007 | 3000m | 8:34.99 | - | Sep 9, 2007 | ↑ | Stadio Guidobaldi, Rieti (ITA) |
| 2007 | 2Miles | 9:41.32 | - | May 20, 2007 | - | Carson, CA (USA) |
| 2007 | 5000m | 14:55.02 | - | Sep 16, 2007 | ↑ | Olympiastadion, Berlin (GER) |
| 2007 | 10000m | 32:02.05 | - | Aug 25, 2007 | ↑ | IAAF World Championships |
| 2007 | Semi | 1:06:57 | - | Sep 30, 2007 | ↓ | South Shields (GBR) |
| 2006 | 1500m | 4:05.14 | - | Aug 27, 2006 | ↑ | Rieti (ITA) |
| 2006 | Mile | 4:46.45 | - | Feb 11, 2006 | ↑ | Seattle The Husky Classic, Seattle, WA (i) |
| 2006 | 3000m | 8:41.42 | - | Sep 16, 2006 | ↑ | Athina IAAF World Cup, Olympic Stadium, Athina |
| 2006 | CrossCount | 13:24 | - | Apr 2, 2006 | - | 34th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Fukuoka |
| 2006 | 5000m | 15:08.13 | - | Jul 19, 2006 | ↑ | Naimette-Xhovémont (BEL) |
| 2006 | 10000m | 31:17.12 | - | Jul 26, 2006 | ↑ | Helsinki (FIN) |
| 2006 | 10Kilometr | 32:46 | - | Oct 9, 2006 | - | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 2005 | 1500m | 4:12.31 | - | Jul 17, 2005 | ↑ | Lignano (ITA) |
| 2005 | 3000m | 9:30.61 | - | May 7, 2005 | ↑ | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2005 | 5000m | 15:17.55 | - | Jul 23, 2005 | ↑ | Heusden-Zolder (BEL) |
| 2005 | 5Kilometre | 15:58 | - | Sep 11, 2005 | - | Providence, RI (USA) |
| 2004 | 1500m | 4:16.48 | - | Jun 19, 2004 | ↑ | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2004 | 3000m | 9:14.77 | - | Jun 5, 2004 | ↑ | Gresham, OR (USA) |
| 2004 | 5000m | 16:30.35 | - | Jul 9, 2004 | ↑ | Sacramento, CA (USA) |
| 2003 | 1500m | 4:11.17 | - | Jul 27, 2003 | ↑ | Pyrgos (GRE) |
| 2003 | 3000mSt | 11:05.31 | - | May 1, 2003 | ↑ | Boulder, CO (USA) |
| 2003 | 5000m | 15:42.97 | - | Aug 2, 2003 | ↑ | Heusden-Zolder (BEL) |
| 2003 | 10000m | 33:44.86 | - | Apr 17, 2003 | ↑ | Walnut, CA (USA) |
| 2001 | 1500m | 4:27.54 | - | May 19, 2001 | ↑ | College Station, TX (USA) |
| 2001 | Mile | 4:54.19 | - | Jan 27, 2001 | ↑ | Air Force Academy (USA) (i) |
| 2001 | 3000mSt | 11:27.76 | - | May 19, 2001 | ↑ | College Station, TX (USA) |
| 2001 | 5000m | 15:41.77 | - | Jun 24, 2001 | ↑ | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 2000 | 1500m | 4:12.15 | - | May 21, 2000 | ↑ | Columbia, MO (USA) |
| 2000 | 3000m | 8:54.82 | - | May 5, 2000 | ↑ | Palo Alto, CA (USA) |
| 2000 | 5000m | 15:28.78 | - | Apr 14, 2000 | ↑ | Walnut, CA (USA) |
| 2000 | 4x1500Metr | 17:50.66 | - | Apr 28, 2000 | ↓ | Philadelphia, PA (USA) |
| 1999 | 1500m | 4:21.55 | - | Mar 28, 1999 | ↑ | Palo Alto, CA (USA) |
| 1999 | 3000m | 9:16.53 | - | Apr 16, 1999 | ↑ | Walnut, CA (USA) |
| 1999 | 3000m-short-track | 9:23.45 | - | Mar 6, 1999 | ↑ | Indianapolis, IN (USA) (i) |
| 1999 | 5000m | 16:57.31 | - | May 23, 1999 | ↑ | Waco, TX (USA) |
| 1999 | 4x1500Metr | 18:02.36 | - | Apr 23, 1999 | ↓ | Philadelphia, PA (USA) |
| 1997 | 4x1500Metr | 17:37.21 | - | Apr 24, 1997 | ↓ | Philadelphia, PA (USA) |
2018
3 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Semi | 1:15:59 | - | Dec 2 | San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, San Antonio, TX |
Semi | 1:18:17 | - | Jun 16 | Duluth Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon |
Semi | 1:19:10 | - | Mar 18 | Virginia Beach Half Marathon, Virginia Beach, VA |
2017
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Semi | 1:15:14 | - | Jun 17 | Duluth Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, Duluth, MN |
2016
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:30:30 | - | Feb 13 | U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials, Los Angeles, CA |
2015
5 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Semi | 1:11:10 | - | Dec 6 | San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, San Antonio, TX |
Semi | 1:11:13 | - | Nov 8 | Monterey Big Sur Half Marathon, Monterey, CA |
10MilesRoa | 54:54 | - | Oct 4 | St. Paul US 10M Road Running Championships, St. Paul |
5000m | 16:05.35 | - | Jun 28 | Eugene USA Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR |
5000m | 15:40.81 | - | Jun 13 | Portland Track Festival, Portland, OR |
2014
2 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:37:03 | - | Nov 2 | New York Marathon, New York, NY |
Semi | 1:11:41 | - | Sep 20 | Philadelphia Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, Philadelphia, PA |
2013
4 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10000m | 32:59.23 | - | Jun 20 | Des Moines USA Championships, Drake Stadium, Des Moines, IA |
Marathon | 2:28:11 | - | Apr 15 | Boston Marathon, Boston, MA |
10000m | 31:46.64 | - | Mar 29 | Palo Alto Stanford Invitational, Palo Alto, CA |
Semi | 1:11:49 | - | Feb 24 | New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, New Orleans, LA |
2012
7 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10MilesRoa | 53:56 | - | Oct 7 | St. Paul US 10 Mile Road Running Championships, St. Paul |
Marathon | 2:26:07 | - | Aug 6 | The XXX Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, London |
Marathon | 2:26:07 | - | Aug 5 | The XXX Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, London |
Semi | 1:09:46 | - | Jun 16 | Duluth US Half Marathon Championships, Duluth, MN |
Semi | 1:13:05 | - | May 20 | Portland Half Marathon, Portland, OR |
Semi | 1:09:12 | - | Mar 18 | New York City Half Marathon, New York, NY |
Marathon | 2:26:06 | - | Jan 14 | Houston U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon, Houston, TX |
2011
11 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10000m | 32:29.58 | - | Aug 29 | IAAF World Championships, DS, Daegu |
10000m | 32:29.58 | - | Aug 27 | IAAF World Championships, DS, Daegu |
1500m | 4:11.88 | - | Jul 1 | Burnaby Harry Jerome Track Classic, Burnaby |
10000m | 31:16.65 | - | Jun 23 | Eugene USA Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR |
5000m | 15:11.47 | - | Jun 4 | Eugene Prefontaine Classic |
5000m | 15:11.47 | - | Jun 3 | Eugene Prefontaine Classic |
Marathon | 2:24:52 | - | Apr 18 | Boston Marathon, Boston, MA |
Semi | 1:09:03 | - | Mar 20 | New York City Half Marathon, New York, NY |
5000m | 16:11.50 | - | Jan 29 | Seattle UW Invitational, Seattle, WA (i) |
5000m | 16:11.50 | - | Jan 28 | Seattle UW Invitational, Seattle, WA (i) |
Semi | 1:14:02 | - | Jan 16 | Tempe Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Half Marathon, Tempe, AZ |
2009
14 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:27:48 | - | Aug 23 | IAAF World Championships |
Marathon | 2:27:48 | - | Aug 22 | IAAF World Championships |
Semi | 1:08:05 | - | Aug 2 | Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, Chicago, IL |
5000m | 15:20.94 | - | Jun 26 | USA Championships, Eugene, OR |
1500m | 4:09.77 | - | Jun 14 | Burnaby Harry Jerome Track Classic, Burnaby |
2000m | 5:41.28 | - | Jun 7 | Eugene Prefontaine Classic, Eugene, OR |
800m | 2:06.79 | - | May 28 | Beaverton Nike Mile, Beaverton, OR |
Mile | 4:37.58 | - | May 28 | Beaverton Nike Mile, Beaverton, OR |
Marathon | 2:32:25 | - | Apr 20 | Boston Marathon, Boston, MA |
Semi | 1:08:30 | - | Mar 22 | Lisboa Meia Maratona de Lisboa, Lisboa |
3000m-short-track | 8:46.65 | - | Feb 7 | Reebok Indoor Games, Boston, MA (i) |
mile-short-track | 4:33.19 | - | Jan 30 | New York Millrose Games, MSG, New York, NY (i) |
3000m | 9:03.47 | - | Jan 17 | Seattle UW Preview, Seattle, WA (i) |
1500m | 4:39.51 | - | Jan 17 | Seattle UW Preview, Seattle, WA (i) |
2008
2 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:25:53 | - | Nov 2 | New York City Marathon, New York, NY |
10MilesRoa | 53:16 | - | Oct 5 | St. Paul Twin Cities 10 Miles, St. Paul |
Showing 1 - 50 of 154
Honours
6
2013Boston Marathon
Marathon
5
2011Boston Marathon
Marathon
🥇
2009USA Championships
5000 Metres
🥉
2009Boston Marathon
Marathon
🥇
2009Lisboa Meia Maratona de Lisboa
Half Marathon
8
2008The XXIX Olympic Games
5000 Metres
🥇
2008USA Olympic Team Trials
5000 Metres
8
2008The XXIX Olympic Games
10,000 Metres
🥉
2008New York City Marathon
Marathon
🥈
2007IAAF World Championships
10,000 Metres
🥉
2006Athina IAAF World Cup
3000 Metres
🥇
2000Durham NCAA Championships
3000 Metres
🥇
2000Durham NCAA Championships
5000 Metres
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Kara Goucher's 10 000 m personal best?
Kara Goucher's 10 000 m personal best is 30:55.16, set on Aug 15, 2008 in National Stadium, Beijing (CHN), #142 on the all-time list.
Which events does Kara Goucher compete in?
Kara Goucher competes in the 10 000 m and 3000 m.
How did Kara Goucher perform in 2018?
2018 season best: 1:18:17, set on Jun 16, 2018 in Duluth, MN (USA).
How many medals has Kara Goucher won?
Kara Goucher has won 1 World Championships medal.