by Elliott Denman, Special to The Oregonian

BOSTON - "This is the end of my indoor season, my finish line," said Portland resident Kara Goucher after her rousing and commanding 8:46.65 triumph in the women's 3,000 meters Saturday night at the Reebok Indoor Games .

After "rabbit" Korene Hinds went to the sidelines after 1,800 meters, and Sally Kipyego began dropping back two laps fiurther, it was Goucher all the way.

Michael Dwyer/APKara Goucher crosses the finish line to win the women's 3000-meter run during the Boston Indoor athletics competition.

"Sure, I'd have liked to break 8:40 (the American record is Shalane Flanagan's 8:33.25) but it wasn't in the cards.

She'd won the Millrose Games mile eight days ago and returns to this city for the April 20 Boston Marathon.

"I do a 20-mile training run Sunday morning," she said, after hugs and kisses from husband Adam, himself an Olympic 5,000-meter runner.

"Then it will be marathon-marathon-marathon."

With her 2:25:53........READ MORE