We waited 18 years to set foot in Ethiopia but once we were here it was only a matter of hours before got to talk to the great Haile Gebrselassie. He held court with some studly friends from Eritrea, Stephen Kiprotich and Zersenay Tadesse. Thankfully, we didn't anger the Ethiopian military too much after a classic American tourist gaffe.

Former Olympic and World champ Stephen Kiprotich was 5th in 2:07:57.

2:04:28 man Sammy Kitwara and Ayele Abshero (2:04:23) are also in the field along with several other sub-2:07 men. Six of the women's field have gone sub-2:30 lead by Isabellah Andersson (2:23:41 from 2011) and Shitaye Eshete (2:25:36).

Sometimes the marathon field at worlds is watered down but certianly not this year as the Duba, London and Boston champs are all racing.

Mekonnen, the world jr record holder for 26.2, had a 19 second lead at 35k but Kiprotich caught him by 40k, only to be outkicked. In the women's race, Portugal Jessica Augusto won in 2:25:30. Before the race, she said she was hoping to beat Rosa Mota's NR 2:23:29 that has stood since 1985 but given the fact it was hailing early in the race, she decided to just focus on winning.

Former Dubai winner Tsegaye Mekonnen (2:04:32), former London winner Tsegaye Kebede (2:04:38) and former world bronze medalist Tadesse Tola (2:04:49) headline with Kiprotich while 2:24-woman Jessica Augosto is the favorite on the women's side.

Kipchoge has won six of his seven career marathons (including four straight) and is coming off one of the greatest marathon performances in history (his 2:03:05 CR in London). He's certainly the favorite, but this will be his first marathon without rabbits. He'll be challenged by NYC champ Stanley Biwott, Dubai champ Tesfaye Abera, Boston champ Lemi Berhanu plus reigning Olympic champ Stephen Kiprotich and reigning world champ Ghirmay Ghebreslassie.

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.

The 2015 World Championships start with a bang as world beater Wilson Kipsang, WR holder Dennis Kimetto and Olympic/World champ Stephen Kiprotich lead a field that includes six 2:05 or faster runners and 24 men with sub-2:10 PRs.

Kiptis ran 60:21 to beat Jonathan Maiyo (60:32) while Kipsang was 5th (62:09) and Kiprotich 10th (63:07).

59:02 man Jonathan Maiyo will also compete.

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.).

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

OH BABY WHAT A RACE!!! This one reads almost like fantasy track. Something has to give as it features the fastest man in history Geoffrey Mutai, the world record holder Wilson Kipsang, the defending champ Tsegaye Kebede, past champ Emmanuel Mutai, the Olympic and world champ Stephen Kiprotich, and the debuts of Mo Farah and Ibrahim Jeilan. We try to break it down for you. *IAAF: "Best Ever" Field