You know about Meb's silver and the attack on leader Vanderlei de Lima, but do you remember Stefano Baldini's incredible 28:59 close in 80+ degree temps that featured a 14:12 5k from 35k to 40k or the Austrian guy in a fuel belt? This remains the only Olympic marathon since 1980 not to feature an African in the top six -- and a reminder of how the Olympic marathon, with its hot weather and three-athlete-per-country limit, can produce unexpected results. No one would have predicted a podium of Italy, the United States, and Brazil in 2004. We can only guess what Sapporo has in store...

On Sunday Bett will defend his title from 2012 and hopes to break the 2:10:55 CR held by Italy's 2004 Olympic marathon champ Stefano Baldini. The women's field is led by 2:28 Ethiopian Gishu Mindaye Tilahun. Back in Kenya some fellow-athletes wondered why Bett returns to run the tough Athens marathon course time and again. “They asked me how is it that I end up running here. Then I tell them: I like to run where the marathon started. The Olympics began here. That is why I like Athens and come back again. This is a legendary marathon.”