That is world champ Tamirat Tola's younger brother in case you are wondering. Dera Dida was the 2019 World XC silver medallist.

A big weekend of running kicks off in Dubai on Friday (Thursday night in the US). Can Boston champ Worknesh Degefa win her second Dubai title? Which of the 11 sub-2:08 men entered will breakthrough to win? Might it be 58:42 man Eric Kiptanui of Kenya who retired from the sport for 5 years but seems poised for a big debut.ac

Out of protest of the IAAF refusing to give Dubai platinum status, the prize money in Dubai is down this year but the quality of the fields certainly isn't. The men's field is LOADED with 8-sub 2:07 guys and it will also serve as the debut for 2011 world 10,000 champ Ibrahim Jielan as well as 12:59 man Getaneh Molla.

Dubai has cut its elite prize money by more than half, from $816,000 in 2018 to $385,000 in 2019. Boston ($746,000) is now the richest prize money race in the world.

Total insanity. What a race for the richest prize in the sport. A guy ran 2:04:15 and took home $12,000. Another guy ran 2:04:00 and took home $200,000.

The women's race in Dubai this year race boasts two sub-2:20 women and a total of six who have run under 2:23 as well as super talented debutantes Gelete Burka (10k silver at 2015 Worlds) and 22-year old Senbere Teferi (5k silver at 2015 Worlds, 14:29 pb).

The Olympic bronze medallist at 10,000 is back to defend his crown but he'll face five other sub-2:07 guys in the field plus four really interesting debutantes: Yenew Alamirew (12:48/27:19 track pbs),  Birhanu Legese (59:20 to win New Delhi Half Marathon in November), Leul Gebresilase (59:18 HM), and Fikadu Haftu (59:22).

Worknesh Degefa had a great marathon debut.

Somebody in Dubai is going to get the biggest win of their career as there are plenty of fast women (9 under 2:25) but none with a major marathon victory.

We break down the field in Dubai and take a look at the men who could challenge Kenenisa Bekele, including 2014 champ Tsegaye Mekonnen, 2:04 man Dino Sefir, Olympic 10k bronze medallist Tamirat Tola and half marathon stud Birhanu Legese.

Distance fans, it's time to get excited. Jos Hermens reveals that Kenenisa Bekele is healthy and going for the world record on Friday in Dubai. Bekele has his sights firmly set on Dennis Kimetto's 2:02:57 WR and plans to go out faster than any man in history. Will the weather cooperate?

Dubai is in the books, the indoor track scene started to heat up, Japan's dominance over America in the marathon is complete, a sub-4 isn't always a sub-4, and Mo Farah will take on Kamworor for the world title in March.

Three former champs will battle it out for $200,000. *MB: Official 2016 Dubai Marathon Live Discussion Thread

In the last four years, Dubai has been won by four different guys - three of whom were making their debut and a fourth who was running just his second marathon. This year, the race is much more likely to be won by someone with experience. Watch it live on LetsRun.com on Thursday night at 9:30 pm ET. *Update: Coach Canova states the both Kebede and Abshero are out of the race.

2011 NYC champ Firehiwot Dado and five-time World XC medalist Meselech Melkamu are also entered. In total, 12 women in the field have broken 2:24 and 22 have broken 2:28. 

Bekele, now working with coach and LRC message board poster Renato Canova, is targeting the course record of 2:04:23 and says he feels more prepared for his third career marathon. Desisa, who just lost out to Wilson Kipsang in New York last year, leads a group of 20 other men who have broken 2:10, including Berhanu Shiferaw (2:04:48) and Feyisa Lilesa (2:04:52).