MOTHERS-TO-BE GOUCHER & RADCLIFFE TO RUN THE "MINI"

By David Monti
(c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved

Editor's note: The author is the elite athlete coordinator for the ING NYC Marathon. Likely Paula and Kara are being paid by the NYRR to run the NY Mini.

NEW YORK (11-May) -- Kara Goucher and Paula Radcliffe both found out they are expecting babies in late September on the same date when they began training together last January in Portland, Ore., under coach Alberto Salazar.  As they explained to the New York Times in a sports section cover story which ran on Mother's Day last Sunday, they plan to run the NYRR New York Mini 10-K, the world's oldest all-women's road race on Saturday, June 12, to share their love for the sport with everyday runners.

Not surprisingly, the New York Road Runners, the race founders and organizers, have warmly welcomed Goucher, 31, and Radcliffe, 36, into the Mini, part of a super weekend of athletics here which will also include the adidas Grand Prix Diamond League meeting later the same day.

"The NYRR Mini is the ultimate all-women's race," said New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg in prepared remarks yesterday.  "From its earliest days, it has been about women breaking barriers and women joining together as friends in running.  The Mini is an event much more than a race.  Some women have run it for many years in a row, throughout all kinds of changes in their lives.  What a thrill to host two of the world's best athletes, both of whom who have a fondness for this event, for women's running, and for running together and through this exciting time in their lives during which running means something quite different then it normally does to these two professional racers."

For Goucher, this will be her first Mini, but Radcliffe has already gotten her name on the Mini's prestigious winners' list.  On Jun 9, 2001, Radcliffe covered the hilly one-lap course of Central Park in 30:47, setting a course record in what was the #2 mark of all-time.  Other Mini winners include Tegla Loroupe, Lornah Kiplagat, Ingrid Kristiansen, Grete Waitz, Deena Kastor, Liz McColgan, Judi St. Hillaire, Lisa Ondieki and Anne Audain.

Goucher and Radcliffe last ran together here at the 2008 ING New York City Marathon where Goucher made her marathon debut and finished third in 2:25:53, and Radcliffe won the race for the third time in 2:23:56.

For Goucher and husband Adam, this will be their first child.  For Radcliffe and husband Gary Lough it will be their second.  The British couple also have a 3 year-old daughter, Isla.

 

 

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