Goucher enjoyed a superb run in posting the fastest half marathon time by a woman this year of 66 minutes 57 seconds. Her time bettered the previous U.S. record of 67:34 by Deena Kastor set last year in Berlin, but due to the downhill nature of the course, it will not qualify as the American record.
With her performance, Goucher spoiled the return to competition after a 21-month absence of British world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, who was the runner up in 67:53.
"I really just wanted to compete and didn't know what to expect," Goucher said. "I thought I could be second or third, but I also thought I might be 10th. I just didn't know."
Goucher, who won the bronze medal in the 10,000 meters at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships in Osaka, Japan, posted splits of 15 km (47:36), 10 miles (50:59), and 20 km (63:33), which are quicker than any U.S. competitor has run before.
For more information on the 2007 Great North Run Half Marathon, visit www.iaaf.org.
Canadian Carmen Douma Hussar wins in New York's Mile race
Canadian Carmen Douma-Hussar ran the fastest time at this event since 1998 in finishing ahead of Americans Amy Mortimer and defending champion Sara Hall.
Douma-Hussar held off a series of challenges in prevailing in 4:22.8, with Mortimer passing Hall at the end to finish second in 4:23.6, as Hall crossed the finish line close behind in 4:24.1.
For more information on the 2007 Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile, visit:
http://www.nyrr.org/races/2007/mile/index.asp