Skechers Performance Division announced the signing of long-distance runner, Kara Goucher, to the Skechers Performance Elite Team. The multi-year agreement names Skechers Performance Division as Goucher’s official footwear sponsor and will feature the world-class female runner in global marketing and advertising campaigns.

Goucher’s achievements as an elite long-distance runner include winning the bronze medal in the 2007 World Championships in the 10,000 meter, competing on the U.S. Olympic team in 2012 and 2008, placing first in the 2012 USA Half Marathon Championships and placing third in the 2012 Olympic marathon trials in Houston, Texas.

“We know Kara will make a fantastic addition to our team,” stated Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “This partnership strengthens our commitment to the Skechers Performance brand and adds tremendous credibility to what we are accomplishing. Integral to our strategy is working with top runners to develop performance shoes that exceed expectations. We believe elite athletes like Kara and Meb competing in Skechers Performance footwear further drives growth in this key division of our company.”

“I am excited to be joining the Skechers Performance Division,” said Kara Goucher. “The team is dedicated to making the best shoes possible for runners of all levels. They take direct feedback from athletes and apply it to their shoe development. Skechers Performance is willing to think outside the box in an effort to put their athletes first. I am honored to be joining this team and I look forward to a great relationship on and off the roads.”

“When our team first met with Kara you could sense immediately that this was a partnership both parties wanted to make happen,” said Rick Higgins, vice president of merchandising and marketing for Skechers Performance Division. “Kara’s passion and desire to win coupled with our design team’s determination to build the best running shoes make for a great partnership. We view this as another major leap forward in building product that resonates with athletes and those wanting comfortable technical footwear.”

A competitive runner for over 20 years, Goucher grew up in Duluth, Minnesota and attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. After taking a brief break from competing to have a child, Goucher returned to competition in January 2011 and is currently training in Boulder, Colorado with her coaches Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs.

Skechers is one of the top five athletic footwear companies in the United States and the Performance Division designs award-winning, innovative footwear for athletes such as 2014 Boston Champion, Meb, as well as fitness enthusiasts and consumers around the globe. Learn more about Skechers Performance Division on our new custom YouTube channel, SkechersGOrun.com and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/SkechersPerformance), Twitter (twitter.com/skechersGO) and Instagram (instagram.com/skechersperformance).