We break down the 2017 Tokyo women's race where Kenya's Lucy Kabuu (2:19:34 pb) returns to the marathon for the first time in two + years.

Wilfred Murgor and Leonard Komon were a close 2-3 both clocking 59:57. Worknesh Degefa won the women's race in 67:14 as pre-race favorite Lucy Kabuu was only 6th (70:25).

Komon faces 4 other sub-60 minute runners while the women's field also has Lucy Kabuu (1:06:09) and 7 other women who have ran in the 1:09 range or faster.

Ethiopia's Aselefech Mergia is back. The Dubai course record holder prevailed by :01 in an epic final straight battle over World half marathon champ Gladys Cherono to take home $200,000 in the deepest women's marathon ever (top 10) bumping Desi Linden from the fastest 10th place finisher ever.

2011 NYC champ Firehiwot Dado and five-time World XC medalist Meselech Melkamu are also entered. In total, 12 women in the field have broken 2:24 and 22 have broken 2:28. 

Topping Bekele's competition are 2:04-men Lelisa Desisa (2:04:45), Berhanu Shiferaw (2:04:48) and Feyisa Lelisa (2:04:52). On the women's side, CR holder Aselefech Mergia (2:19:34) faces Lucy Kabuu (2:19:34) and a slew of other women who have ran 2:21.

Megan Hogan was the top American. Melody Fairchild won the Masters race.

They'll face heavy competition though from 1:06 half-marathoner Lucy Kabuu and Boston Marathon runner-up Buzunesh Deba.

We dissect the women's London Marathon including the sprint finish, the bottle drop, and Dibaba's debut. Is Edna Kiplagat the new #1 in the World?

This week we give Galen Rupp fans reason to believe a victory over Bernard Lagat at 5,000 is possible, are amazed that even Kenyan phenoms are sometimes embarrassed to run, wonder why Kenya rules Ethiopia in quantity but not quality, and go crazy with our quotes of the week.