They'll face a deep field which includes Atsede Baysa, Mary Wacera, Edna Kiplagat and Kim Smith. On the men's side, Geoffrey Mutai will face Dathan Ritzenhein, Abdi Abdirahman and Daniel Salel.

Geoffrey Mutai's first race in 8-months did not go very well as he was 6th place in 64:28.

Mutai will face 59:30 man Barselius Kipyego as well as a slew of other Kenyas in the 60-61 minute range. Risper Chebet (69:24) and Esther Chemtai Ndeima (69:49) lead the women's field.

Mutai is out "due to not meeting training goals while Ethiopian Amane Beriso (5th fastest debut of all time with 2:20:48 from Dubai) was added to the field.

The world record is on everyone's mind and Eliud Kipchoge (London champ) and Emmanuel Mutai (2:03:13 PB) will give it their best go in Berlin on Sunday? Check out our preview as we assess their chances, discuss whether Geoffrey Mutai is done, and wonder if Reid Coolsaet can get the 39-year old Canadian record. Plus Berlin, not Chicago or New York, may have the most # of elite Americans this fall in Shadrack Biwott, Sean Quigley, Matt Llano and Gabe Proctor 

A year ago, in his sixth career marathon, Dennis Kimetto set the WR in Berlin at age 30. Will history repeat this year when the 30-year-old Eliud Kipchoge toes the line in his sixth career race at 26.2? What type of chance does Geoffrey Mutai - the Roger Federer of men's marathoning - have?
*MB: Eliud Kipchoge. Emmanuel Mutai and Geoffrey Mutai in 2015 BerlinMarathon

Stephen Sambu was 2nd 12-seconds back as Leonard Korir took 3rd and Geoffrey Mutai was back in 7th (28:53). Wacera won over Edna Kiplagat by 8-seconds. *Results

Sambu says he knows it'll be tough to beat Geoffrey Mutai as they recently raced at the Healthy Kidney 10K and Mutai didn't fall off until near the end.

Leonard Korir and Daniel Salel (27:07) are also in the field.  Edna Kiplagat vs former Boston Marathon champ Caroline Kilel highlights the women's race and Parker Stinson and Jen Rhines lead the Americans. *Full Elite Field / Prize Money

Leonard Korir and Abdi Abdirahman are also in the field. The women are led by Joyce Chepkirui who faces Mamitu Daska, Mary Wacera, Gladys Cherono and Gemma Steel.

This race is LOADED. The winners of last fall's three major marathons -- world record holder Dennis Kimetto (Berlin), Eliud Kipchoge (Chicago) and Wilson Kipsang (NYC) will all be in London, as there are a total of four sub-2:04 men and eight sub-2:05 men in the field (both the most ever in one race). You know a race is historically great if a pair of 2:03 guys (Geoffrey and Emmanuel Mutai) aren't even headliners.

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.).

Dennis Kimetto: “I know I am ready. My preparation has been good and I’m confident for Sunday. If the conditions are good, yes, we could break the world record.”

 

Defending champ Priscah Jeptoo faces runner up Buzunesh Deba as well as Edna Kiplagat and Mary Keitany in her return to the marathon.

Ronoh ran 27:28 to Mutai's 27:32. Coretti Jepkoech won the women's race in a CR 31:05.
*Race Highlights Video

Other top men include Shadrack Biwott, Jeffrey Eggleston and Scott Bauhs. Bernard Lagat is in the 5K on Saturday.

He'll face Geoffrey Ronoh, the rabbit who stayed in the race and beat Wilson Kipsang in a half-marathon.