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.

Tiki Gelana hasn't run a good marathon since her 2012 Olympic victory but has an excellent shot to resurrect her career in this less than stellar field. 2014 runner-up Birhane Dibaba (2:22:30 pb) and 2014 Paris/Commonwealth champ Flomena Cheyech Daniel of Kenya (2:22:44) should provide some competition, as will debutante Selly Chepyego (bronze at World Half Champs). American 2:28er Lauren Kleppin is basically guaranteed her first career top 10 showing at a major in this small 10-woman elite field.

 

Meb Keflezighi goes for the three-peat against a field that includes Josphat Boit, Shadrack Biwott, Diego Estrada and Girma Mecheso. In the women's race, marathon specialists Annie Bersagel and Lauren Kleppin will attempt to hold off U.S. 10,000 champ Kim Conley. Sara Hall and 2012 Olympian Janet Bawcom are also in the field. Races start at 6:55 a.m. CT on Sunday.

The 2:05:25-man will face Debeb Tolossa and Aaron Braun. The women's race is led by 2:25:39 runner Fatuma Sado who faces Biruktait Degefa (2:26:22) and Serena Burla. The half will once again be the US Half-Marathon Championships and features Meb Keflezighi, Josphat Boit, Matt Llano, Janet Bawcom, Sara Hall, Kim Conley and Becky Wade.

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. 

 

Lauren Kleppin, Renee Metivier Baillie and Kellyn Johnson lead women's field.

The Kenyan women were perfect and the American women almost got the bronze.

Kleppin may be the fastest American you've never hear of as her 2:28 marathon this month was overshadowed in the Chanelle Price gold. Pennel is flourshing with Zap Fitness.