2014 2nd and 3rd placers Sammy Kitwara and Dickson Chumba - both of whom set personal bests here a year ago - will be in the field to tackle Tokyo champ Endeshaw Negesse, Rotterdam champ Abera Kuma and '12 Boston champ Wesley Korir. The U.S. pros are led by 2:11 man Fernando Cabada and former Oregon star Luke Puskedra (61:36 half PR) as the headliners.
60-year-old Walters (a sub-2:20 marathoner in his prime) has had an impressive career and interesting life. His early running days began while his parents were on a mission in Tanzania and he went on to become an NCAA All-American and roommates with Craig Virgin. At Chicago 2015 he dominated his age group by 20-minutes with 2:45 and looks to do the same at the NYC Marathon next weekend.