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Jan-12-2011
Kara Goucher Headlines P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona
by RunningUSA Wire
PHOENIX - (January 12, 2011) - One of the top U.S. marathon hopefuls for the 2012 London Olympics, Kara Goucher will make her return to road racing at the 8th P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon on Sunday, January 16. The 2007 World Championships bronze medalist, who will run the half-marathon here, has not raced competitively since the World Championships in August of 2009, taking off 2010 giving birth to her son Colt on Sept. 25.
"We couldn't be more delighted that Kara decided to make her competitive return to road racing here in Arizona," said Matt Turnbull, Elite Athlete Coordinator for the Competitor Group. "From Haile Gebrselassie's half-marathon world record in 2006 to Deena Kastor's sub-70 minute outing last year, we know this event can produce fast times and great performances."
Unbeaten in her career at the half-marathon distance, Goucher captured her first title on the roads in spectacular fashion when she out-dueled marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe, winning the Great North Run in 2007. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Colorado grad finished ninth in the 5000 meter and 10th in the 10,000. She was third at the 2008 ING New York City Marathon in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 53 seconds, fastest marathon debut by a U.S. woman.
"I'm so excited to have my first race back be a part of the Rock 'n' Roll series, it should be a lot of fun and the weather is supposed to be great," said Goucher, 32, who will run the Boston Marathon in April. "As race day approaches, it's exciting to remember what it's like to do a warm-up and go to the start line. I'm looking forward to a family affair with Adam and Colt waiting for me at the finish line in Tempe."
U.S. 50K record holder Josh Cox will return to the Valley of the Sun in hope of bettering his mark. Cox set the record with an official time of 2:47:17 and was named the USA Track & Field Athlete of the week in January 2009. His Arizona performance broke the previous 50K record by four minutes and was the fastest 50K time in the world in 2009.
The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon will return for its 8th edition on Sunday, January 16, 2011 with more than 30,000 participants. For the first time, the event will feature a 2-person half-marathon relay, along with cheerleaders and local bands playing along every mile of the 13.1 and 26.2-mile courses.
The race will conclude with the finish line festival and post-race concert at Sun Devil Stadium. Vertical Horizon will take the stage at 11:30am and play two sets.
Event weekend will begin with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo presented by Fox 10 on January 14th and 15th at the Phoenix Convention Center. The Expo, which will be free and open to the public, will showcase the latest in running products and services with interactive clinics from fitness experts.
For more information or to register, visit: Competitor.com or call (800) 311-1255.
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