Kara Goucher and Desiree Davila, two of the top American female distance runners, will compete in the 2011 Boston Marathon, race sponsor John Hancock Financial announced today.

Goucher, who took last season off to have her first child, was third in the 2009 Boston Marathon, nine seconds behind winner Salina Kosgei. The 2011 event will be her first marathon since the birth of her son, Colt, in September.

“My return to running has gone very well and I can’t think of a better place than Boston to pick up where I left off,” Goucher said in a John Hancock news release.

Goucher holds the third-fastest marathon time ever by an American woman, a 2:25.53 set at the New York Marathon in 2008.

Davila was the top American at the Chicago Marathon in October. Her fourth-place finish, in 2:26.20, was the fourth-fastest marathon ever by an American woman.

"The next logical step is putting it all together and learning how to win," Davila said. "As an American marathoner, what better place to take on that challenge than Boston?"

The Boston Marathon will be held for the 115th time on April 18, 2011.

Below is a video interview with Davila after the Chicago Marathon.