The Valencia Marathon field is LOADED and well tell you all about it here.

2018 was the best year in the history of the women's marathoning. Coming into the year, only five women in history had ever broken 2:19 but six different women did it 2019.  Plus 11 times a woman broke 2:20 in 2018, the most in history.

The Japanese Corporate Track and Field Federation’s “Project Exceed” was offering 100 million yen ($936,000) to any man who could break the 2:06:16 national record. Shitara did it with a legendary run, mowing down the field after he was dropped at 32k.

Tokyo may not have cachet of London or Boston but it's by far the best marathon for US fans to watch as it's on during prime time in the US. We get you ready for Saturday night's race.

The women's field in the world championships is absurdly deep as it features 10 women who have broken 2:22.

We break down the 2017 Tokyo women's race where Kenya's Lucy Kabuu (2:19:34 pb) returns to the marathon for the first time in two + years.

Kebede will look to become the fourth woman to win Berlin three times (she also won in '10 and '12) and the 21st woman under 2:20. Can rising stars Amane Beriso (2:20:48 in Dubai, 5th-fastest debut ever) or Birhane Dibaba (2015 Tokyo champ) take her down?

Dibaba can clinch the AWMM title and $500,000 with a win, while a win would put Kiprop or Kebede in a tie for 1st in the standings with Mary Keitany and Mare Dibaba. Two-time world champ Edna Kiplagat and 20-year-old wunderkind Shure Demise are also in the Tokyo field.

Mare Dibaba broke 2:20 and won Worlds this year so she deserves to be #1, particularly when you factor in she was also 2nd in Boston. Speaking of Boston, there, Desi Linden ran the fastest time on the year for the US and placed the highest of any American in a major this year.

HM WR holder Florence Kiplagat, Tokyo champ Birhane Dibaba and '14 Dubai champ Mulu Seboka are the favorites. The battle for top American is wide open as 42-year-old Deena Kastor goes for the US masters record (2:28:40) against 40-year-old US marathon champ Blake Russell and Sara Hall. Then there is ageless wonder, 58-year-old Joan Benoit Samuelson, who will try to run within 30 minutes of her 2:21 winning time 30 years ago.

Ethiopians Endeshaw Negesse and Birhane Dibaba got the Major marathon season underway with their first major wins as Stephen Kiprotich was a hero in second, Tariku Bekele bombed in his debut, Japanese twitter went nuts over the marathon, and Lauren Kleppin took a shot at greatness but bombed. We break it down.

Tiki Gelana hasn't run a good marathon since her 2012 Olympic victory but has an excellent shot to resurrect her career in this less than stellar field. 2014 runner-up Birhane Dibaba (2:22:30 pb) and 2014 Paris/Commonwealth champ Flomena Cheyech Daniel of Kenya (2:22:44) should provide some competition, as will debutante Selly Chepyego (bronze at World Half Champs). American 2:28er Lauren Kleppin is basically guaranteed her first career top 10 showing at a major in this small 10-woman elite field.

 

Tirfi Tsegaye won two majors and is world #1 in a year marred by doper Rita Jeptoo.

After a 2:18:57 CR in Boston in April, a win by Jeptoo would give her the best two-year run since Paula Radcliffe set two WRs and won three majors from 2002-2003., but it will be far from easy as marathon world record holder Florence Kiplagat and 2:19:52 woman Mare Dibaba will both try to beat Jeptoo to the finish line in Grant Park. The American contingent is led by Olympian Amy Hastings and Clara Santucci, who won the Pittsburgh Marathon in May, as Lisa Uhl looks to try to start the resurrection of her career.