Altra announced the addition of Kara Goucher to the company’s Elite Team of professional athletes. Goucher had been with Skechers.
Goucher represented her country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics, and she brought home a World Silver Medal in the 10,000m from Osaka, Japan. She has many accolades ranging from the track distances to the marathon, which includes the fastest marathon debut by an American woman.
“I’m excited to partner with Altra as I enter the next phase of reaching my goals,” Goucher said. “They’re different than they were 10 years ago, but they still matter, and they’re still big. In addition, I am looking forward to teaming up with a like-minded brand who gives back to the running community, believes in clean sport and cares about women’s running and all generations of the female athlete. Together, we hope to motivate, inspire and lead by example.”
Highlights from Goucher’s long list of achievements include:
2016 – fourth in the marathon at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2:30:24
2015 – first at the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Half Marathon in 1:11:10
2012 – 10th in the marathon at the London Olympic Games in 2:26:07
2012 – first in the USA Half Marathon Championships in 1:09:46
2012 – third in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2:26:06
2011 – fifth at the Boston Marathon in 2:24:52
2009 – third at the Boston Marathon in 2:32:25
2008 – third at the New York City Marathon in 2:25:53
2008 – ninth in the 10,000m at the Beijing Olympic Games in 30:55.16
2007 – seconnd in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Osaka in 32:02.05
2006 – third in the 3000m at the World Cup in Athens in 8:41.42
Goucher, who entered the master’s category at the age of 40 last July, first dominated the running scene in college at the University of Colorado, where she became the NCAA Outdoor Champion in the 3000m and 5000m and the NCAA Cross Country Champion. She currently resides in Boulder with her husband and fellow University of Colorado runner Adam Goucher and their son, Colton.
As a strong advocate of women’s running, Goucher is a believer in Altra’s Fit4Her technology. Altra is the only brand that makes all its women’s shoes with a female-specific last to account for the narrower heel, higher instep, longer arch and unique metatarsal spacing that women have compared to men.
Goucher enjoys being a wife, mother and elite competitor, and she spends her free time inspiring women and young girls to run. She aligns herself with companies that promote women’s running and even hosts a women’s retreat. Her 2018 Podium Retreat for Women in Boulder is a weekend of acceptance and empowerment open to female runners and non-runners of all kinds.
Goucher also recently published, “Strong: A Runner’s Guide to Boosting Confidence and Becoming the Best Version of You.” Goucher writes how she conquers self-doubt and improved her running. She shares tips, techniques and real-life experiences from fellow Olympic runners and sport psychologists.
“I’m so happy to chase my passions and dreams as a member of the Altra Elite Team,” Goucher said. “United together to bring running to women and people everywhere, all levels and all ages with a genuine shoe company with unique features and a focus on education that truly helps make the running experience better.”
Next on Goucher’s schedule is to race a half marathon in November in order to gear up for a bigger fall marathon.
Goucher will be at Altra’s booth at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Denver on Day One, Thursday, November 8, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
