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.

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.