Ever since Galen Rupp was announced to run Boston last month, we've been wondering who he'll be facing. Today, John Hancock announced the rest of its elite field for the 2017 Boston Marathon, and it's solid.
Dennis Kimetto Kenya 2:02:57 (Berlin, 2014) WR
Emmanuel Mutai Kenya 2:03:13 (Berlin, 2014)
Patrick Makau Kenya 2:03:38 (Berlin, 2011)
Sammy Kitwara Kenya 2:04:28 (Chicago, 2014)
Lemi Berhanu Hayle Ethiopia 2:04:33 (Dubai, 2016)
Yemane Tsegay Ethiopia 2:04:48 (Rotterdam, 2012)
Dino Sefir Ethiopia 2:04:50 (Dubai, 2012)
Sisay Lemma Ethiopia 2:05:16 (Dubai, 2016)
Wilson Chebet Kenya 2:05:27 (Rotterdam, 2011)
Wesley Korir Kenya 2:06:13 (Chicago, 2012)
Geoffrey Kirui Kenya 2:06:27 (Amsterdam, 2016)
Yared Asmeron Eritrea 2:07:27 (Chuncheon, 2011)
Meb Keflezighi USA 2:08:37 (Boston, 2014)
Abdi Abdirahman USA 2:08:56 (Chicago, 2006)
Cutbert Nyasango Zimbabwe 2:09:52 (Prague, 2014) NR
Galen Rupp USA 2:10:05 (Rio de Janeiro, 2016)
Luke Puskedra USA 2:10:24 (Chicago, 2015)
Eric Gillis Canada 2:11:21 (Toronto, 2014)
Jared Ward USA 2:11:30 (Rio de Janeiro, 2016)
Shadrack Biwott USA 2:12:01 (New York, 2016)
Sean Quigley USA USA 2:13:30 (Fukuoka, 2013)
Daniel Salel Kenya debut
So you've got three of the six fastest men ever (Kimetto, Mutai, Makau), three more sub-2:05 guys plus Sisay Lemma (4th Dubai and Berlin last year), Wilson Chebet (top 3 in Boston in '14 and '15) and defending champ Lemi Berhanu Hayle, who was already announced.
Kimetto and Mutai haven't been close to their peak form for a while, but there's enough talent there that Rupp will be challenged.
Luke Puskedra probably won't be battling Rupp but has been added to the men's field as well. Eric Gillis of Canada was 10th at the Olympics.
The women's field is solid too, with the addition of three sub-2:20 women plus Joyce Chepkirui (3rd Boston, 4th NYC in '16).
Gladys Cherono Kenya 2:19:25 (Berlin, 2015)
Edna Kiplagat Kenya 2:19:50 (London, 2012)
Buzunesh Deba Ethiopia 2:19:59 (Boston, 2014) CR
Shalane Flanagan USA 2:21:14 (Berlin, 2014)
Atsede Baysa Ethiopia 2:22:03 (Chicago, 2012)
Desiree Linden USA 2:22:38 (Boston, 2011)
Jelena Prokopcuka Latvia 2:22:56 (Osaka, 2005) NR
Valentine Kipketer Kenya 2:23:02 (Amsterdam, 2013)
Caroline Rotich Kenya 2:23:22 (Chicago, 2012)
Joyce Chepkirui Kenya 2:24:11 (Amsterdam, 2015)
Rose Chelimo Bahrain 2:24:14 (Seoul, 2016)
Ruti Aga Ethiopia 2:24:41 (Berlin, 2016)
Brigid Kosgei Kenya 2:24:45 (Lisbon, 2016)
Diane Nukuri Burundi 2:27:50 (London, 2015)
Blake Russell USA 2:29:10 (Chicago, 2005)
Lindsay Flanagan USA 2:29:28 (Frankfurt, 2016)
Kellys Arias Colombia 2:29:36 (Hamburg, 2016) NR
Clara Santucci USA 2:29:54 (Boston, 2011)
Rachel Hannah Canada 2:32:09 (Houston, 2016)
Esther Atkins USA 2:33:15 (Boston, 2014)
Liz Costello USA debut
Jordan Hasay USA debut