NEW YORK, NY - On the comeback trail after an injury-marred 2004 season, former collegiate star and 2000 Olympic finalist Adam Goucher has entered the USA Men's 8K Championship hosted by New York Road Runners on Saturday, March 26, it was announced on Wednesday.

Mary Wittenberg, New York Road Runners executive vice president and chief operating officer, made the announcement on a national conference call with Goucher and his famed coach, Alberto Salazar.

The national championship features a $20,000 prize purse and will start and finish in the new Ichan Track and Field Stadium on Manhattan's Randall's Island. Goucher joins Tim Broe, the 2002 USA 8K champion and 2004 Olympic 5000 meter finalist, whose entry was announced in February. New York Road Runners will also host the 2005 USA Women's 8K Championship on Randall's Island that day. The event is also part of the 2005 USA Running Circuit, a national road championship grand prix series.

Goucher opened his 2005 season with a runner-up result (11:39.1, behind Broe) at the USA 4K Cross Country Championships last month, earning a spot on the U.S. team for the World Cross Country Championships on March 19-20 in St. Galmier, France.

"Adam is this year's comeback story," said Wittenberg. "He is no longer simply on the road to recovery but back on the road to championship successes."

Goucher, 30, of Portland, Ore., has long been considered one of America's finest distance runners. Despite a career that has been punctuated by injury as often as achievement, Goucher boasts a resume that rivals anyone in the sport. A four-time NCAA Champion in cross country, indoor and outdoor track at University of Colorado, he was also the 2000 USA 12K and 4K Cross Country Champion and a 2000 Olympic finalist at 5000 meters.