BERLIN -- Former Colorado standout Kara Goucher finished 10th Sunday in the women`s marathon at the world championships on Sunday, the best finish by an American woman since Linda Somers placed seventh in 1995.

Goucher ran a season-best time of 2 hours, 27 minutes, 48 seconds in a race conducted under sunny skies with temperatures in the low 70s on a course that saw contestants complete four loops.

Bai Xue of China won the gold medal, clocking a 2:25:15. Japan`s Yoshimi Ozaki, who has trained in Boulder in the past, was second in 2:25:25 and Ethiopia`s Aselefech Mergia won the bronze in 2:25:32.

Right behind Goucher was the USA`s Desiree Davila (2:27:53) while another former CU runner, Tera Moody, was 28th in 2:36:39.

"My legs felt great, and I felt really relaxed," Goucher said. "It was great to have a loop course where my husband and coach could yell at me. The pace felt comfortable, and it felt like practice."

Goucher did have some problems midway through the race, but managed to maintain her pace.

"I had a lot of problems keeping my fluids down," Goucher said. "After the second personal fluid station, I started throwing up what I took in. I would start taking it, and then a mile later, I`d throw up."