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).

Galen Rupp and Meb Kefelzighi, you just caught a major break as Ethiopia definitely didn't select its three best marathoners for its Olympic team. Kenenisa Bekele is staying home as is women's world leader Tirfi Tsegaye. *MB: Ethiopian marathon team announced: Picks are as debatable as Kenya's.

Sumgong for her first major win despite a big fall.

A dramatic come from behind victory for Ethiopia's Atsede Baysa as Neely Spence Gracey was 9th.

Defending champ Caroline Rotich is back, and she'll battle a deep field that is devoid of any studs. Dubai champ Tirfi Tsegaye (LRC World #1 in '14), Amsterdam/Honolulu champ Joyce Chepkirui and Buzunesh Deba (who finished 2nd behind doper Rita Jeptoo in '14) plus several others will look to wrest the crown from Rotich. Neely Spence Gracey (debut) and Sarah Crouch are the lone U.S. pros.

Do you have a marathon barrier you want to break? Be inspired by Tirfi Tsegaye who broke 2:20 for the 1st time in her 19th career marathon.

Three former champs will battle it out for $200,000. *MB: Official 2016 Dubai Marathon Live Discussion Thread

Video highlights.

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.

Shalane Flanagan went for the AR in Berlin, but paid the price the second half. She was rewarded with a PB and the #2 time every by an American and a third place finish as Tirfi Tsegaye and Feyse Tadese went 1-2 with PBs in front of Flanagan. *Video Highlights

2:21 Ethiopian training partners Tirfi Tsegaye and Feyse Tadese along with Shalane Flanagan are all shooting for sub-2:20.

Shalane Flanagan has said that her only goal is to break Kastor's record on Sunday and that everything else -- including winning the race -- is secondary to that. She has a good shot at her first major victory but will have company in the form of 2:21 women Feyse Tadese (Paris CR holder) and Tirfi Tsegaye (Tokyo CR holder, won Dubai in 2013).