Kosgei comes in as the defending champion after winning in 2018 in 2:18:35 and then winning London in 2:18:20. She is joined by Betsy Saina (2:22:56) and Mexico's Madai Perez (2:22:59). Chumba won Chicago in 2015, but will only be the fourth fastest in the field as Dubai champ Getaneh Molla (2:03:34) and runner-up Herpasa Negasa (2:03:40) lead the way along with previously announced Mo Farah. USA's Amy Cragg, Chris Derrick and Brogan Austin have all withdrawn.

The Japanese Corporate Track and Field Federation’s “Project Exceed” was offering 100 million yen ($936,000) to any man who could break the 2:06:16 national record. Shitara did it with a legendary run, mowing down the field after he was dropped at 32k.

Tokyo may not have cachet of London or Boston but it's by far the best marathon for US fans to watch as it's on during prime time in the US. We get you ready for Saturday night's race.

The men's field features former Chicago/Tokyo winner Dickson Chumba, defending champ Philemon Rono, past Tokyo winner Endeshaw Negasse and 2:04-man Tadese Tola. The women’s race has three 2:24-women in Fatuma Sado, Marta Megra, and Sutame Asefa.

Wilson Kipsang just ran 2:03:13 in Berlin. He says he wants his world record back. We think a course record (2:05:42) is more reasonable. But it should be exciting nonetheless and the best part about it is you don't have to get up early to enjoy. Live Saturday night during prime-time.

No one has repeated in Chicago since Sammy Wanjiru in 2010 (the final race Wanjiru would ever run). Chumba is the best of a shallow men's elite field that also features two-time London champ Tsegaye Kebede and two-time world champ Abel Kirui looking to resurrect their careers.

Kimetto faces defending champ Dickson Chumba, 2012 champion Tsegaye Kebede, 2008 Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist Micah Kogo and Stephen Sambu making his marathon debut. Luke Puskedra, Nick Arciniaga and Diego Estrada head the American charge. World half-marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat leads the women's field against Boston champion Atsede Baysa and 2:23-women Valentine Kipketer and Gulume Chala.

Some great racing in Tokyo as AWMM Series IX came to an end.

Chicago champ/Tokyo CR holder Chumba takes on '12 Olympic medalists Stephen Kiprotich and Abel Kirui, plus Amsterdam champ Bernard Kipyego, Berlin runner-up Eliud Kiptanui and Japan's top marathoner, Masato Imai (2:07:39 pb). Eritrea's Teklemariam Medhin (two-time World XC medalist) makes his debut.

Who deserved the #1 US ranking took some thought as Ritz beat Meb in Boston and Luke Puskedra had the highest WMM finish of any American (5th) and fastest time of the year as well (2:10:24).

Puskedra: "With 10-K to go, just get on the pony and ride. I was all-out, I think.  I imagined myself to be Usain Bolt, but probably looked like Luke Puskedra out there."

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.

Ethiopians Endeshaw Negesse and Birhane Dibaba got the Major marathon season underway with their first major wins as Stephen Kiprotich was a hero in second, Tariku Bekele bombed in his debut, Japanese twitter went nuts over the marathon, and Lauren Kleppin took a shot at greatness but bombed. We break it down.

A year ago a Geoffrey Mutai (2013 NY champ), Kebede (2013 London champ), Kiprotich (2013 World Champ) match-up would have been salivating. Now all 3 titans have something to prove against defending champ Dickson Chumba as Tariku Bekele makes his debut. In all, five sub-2:05 guys will toe the line on Sunday morning (Saturday night in U.S.).

With wins in London and NY, no one was as good as Wilson Kipsang. But where do we rank Kenenisa Bekele, Meb and others?