The Rosas have suspended everyone in their women's marathon group (Olympic, Tokyo and Paris champs). They say they are fighting the scourge of doping in Kenya and before Sumgong's bust had started blood testing their own athletes, and kicked two out for suspicious values.

LetsRun.com was at Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong's training camp in Kenya a couple weeks before her positive "A" sample doping test was announced.

We break down what this means for the sport, for her training group, her husband/coach, and for Kenya.

World Half champ Peres Jepchirchir is also in the field while the men are lead by London Marathon runner-up Stanley Biwott, World XC silver medalist Bedan Karoki, Augustine Choge and Solomon Yego (58:44).

The field is stacked as usual with 7 women who have ran under 2:21 and also includes Chicago champion Florence Kiplagat, Berlin winner Aberu Kebede and and former London winners Tigist Tufa (2015) and Aselefech Mergia (2010). Team USA will get some representation from Laura Thweatt and Kellyn Taylor.

Sumgong, like Eliud Kipchoge, was the unquestioned world #1 in 2016. Flanagan was one of three Americans to finish in the top 10 at the Olympics (Amy Cragg and Desi Linden were the others) -- only the second time a country had pulled off that feat (after Kenya in 2008).

Shalane Flanagan has set an American record during her buildup. Desi Linden says she's never been in better shape. And Amy Cragg won the Trials. Do they have a shot at a medal?

Sumgong crushed Aliphine Tuliamuk (32:14) by 47 seconds. Brianne Nelson (33:02) and Desi Linden (33:17) were 5th and 6th.

Desi Linden faces London Marathon champion Jemima Sumgong, recent US citizen Aliphine Tuliamuk-Bolton and Diane Nukuri.

Good news, Galen Rupp and US women's marathon fans - it just got a lot easier to medal in Rio as Athletics Kenya picked a 2:24 woman and a man who is about to celebrate the 2-year anniversary of his last sub-2:10 clocking (May 25th) to the Olympic team. Stars like Edna Kiplagat and Mary Keitany will be sitting at home. Updated with new stats for Dickson Chumba and Bernard Kipyego and the fact that Wilson Kipsang didn't want to go to Rio.

Sumgong for her first major win despite a big fall.

Dibaba and Keitany were 1-2 in LRC's 2015 World Rankings and they'll be joined by three others in the top seven, including defending champ Tigist Tufa, 2010 champ Aselefech Mergia and Chicago champ/HM WR holder Florence Kiplagat. Sara Hall will also compete in a race that holds major Olympic implications for Kenya, Ethiopia and GB.

Tigist Tufa was a 2:40 marathoner 2 years ago. Now she's London champ.

Former champs Mary Keitany, Priscah Jeptoo and Edna Kiplagat and HM WR holder Florence Kiplagat take on Dubai champ Aselefech Mergia and 2014 World #1, Tirfi Tsegaye.

Tirfi Tsegaye won two majors and is world #1 in a year marred by doper Rita Jeptoo.

In a battle that spanned five boroughs and took almost all of the course’s 26.2 miles, 32-year-old Mary Keitany of Kenya made her triumphant return to marathoning after a 2+ year absence, winning the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon in 2:25:07 over fellow Kenyan Jemima Sumgong. We break down the women's race.

Mary Keitany (2:18:37 pb) may be a Paula Radcliffe type talent, but she'll have her hands full in NYC in her first marathon in two years. She'll be challenged by former double World Champ Edna Kiplagat, and NYC champs Jelena Prokopcuka and Firehiwot Dado, plus 2013 runner-up Buzunesh Deba. Desiree Linden leads the American field, which also includes 41-year-old Deena Kastor (shooting for 2:25) and Kara Goucher, in her first marathon since April 2013. 

 

Jeptoo is healthy now, but lost too much training time. They will be replaced by 2013 Boston champ Lelisa Desisa and Chicago Marathon runner-up Jemima Sumgong.