Kara Goucher (file photo) made her half marathon debut a memorable one in setting a new American best time with her winning performance Sunday at the Great North Run Half Marathon in north east England.

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.