Two Olympic medalists (both American), six past champions and 18 Olympians overall add up to a star-studded professional lineup for the 121st running of the Boston Marathon. Leading the charge will be the defending champions, Lemi Berhanu Hayle for the men and Atsede Baysa for the women, both from Ethiopia. As a group the field has won 15 Abbott World Marathon Majors and 79 international marathon titles. But only two will emerge as champions on April 17. Here are some of the names to watch.
Lemi Berhanu Hayle, Ethiopia
PR 2:04:33, Best Boston result: 1st place in 2016
The defending champion may be young, but he knows how to win, and that is a talent that is hard to teach. At age 22, the 2016 Boston champion has won six of nine career marathon starts, including the January 2017 Xiamen Marathon in China. He ran his 2:04:33 PR finishing 2nd at the 2016 Dubai Marathon, in defense of his 2015 title. The fuel for his Boston fire in 2017, however, came from his disappointing 13th place finish in the 2016 Rio Olympic Marathon, where he was beaten by Americans Galen Rupp (3rd) and Jared Ward (6th), both of whom he will face on Marathon on Monday.
Meb Keflezighi, USA
PR 2:08:37, Best Boston result: 1st place in 2014
Meb moved onto the Mt. Rushmore of American distance running with his iconic Boston win in 2014. Holding off a hard-charging Wilson Chebet of Kenya in the final miles, Meb became the only runner in history to win Boston, New York City, and an Olympic medal. He was also the first American male champion in 31 years. But most importantly, Keflezighi redeemed the Boylston Street finish a year after the tragic bombings. At age 41, Meb might not be a favorite for the podium anymore in what will be his final Boston run, but no one will receive greater cheers along the route.
Galen Rupp, USA
PR 2:10:05, Boston Debut
The preeminent American distance runner of his era, this 30-year-old University of Oregon grad has won nine national championships and two Olympic medals to date-silver in the 10,000 meters in London 2012, and bronze at last year's Rio Games in the marathon. Boston will mark his Abbott World Marathon Majors debut. His entry into Boston 2017 has sparked a level of excitement unseen since his coach Alberto Salazar returned home (he was brought up in nearby Wayland, Mass.) to run his first Boston in 1982 as the New York City Marathon champion. A slight foot "discomfort" during his Prague Half Marathon tune-up on April 1 had Rupp finishing 12th in 61:59. It's hard to say how close to 100 percent he will be by April 17.
Yemane Tsegaye, Ethiopia
PR 2:04:48, Best Boston Result: 2nd place in 2015
The 32-year-old Ethiopian finished second in Boston 2015, then third a year ago. There is only one step left for him to climb. A strong internationalist, Tsegaye has earned top honors in five of his career 29 marathon starts since 2008. He has also won the silver medal at the 2015 IAAF World Championships Marathon in Beijing. His last marathon win was at the prestigious 70th Fukuoka International Marathon in Japan this past December.
Wesley Korir, Kenya
PR 2:06:13, Best Boston Result: 1st place in 2012
This University of Louisville grad has run Boston four times and has always finished in the top five, including a fourth place finish in 2016. However, his biggest career achievement came in 2012 when, in the searing heat, Korir won Boston in memorable fashion. He has also copped two Los Angeles Marathon titles (2009-2010). He ran his 2:06:13 PR finishing second at the 2012 Chicago Marathon. in 2016 Korir was named overall captain of the Kenyan Olympic team in Rio, though he DNF in the marathon. His talents are not limited to running. In 2013 the personable Korir was elected to the Kenyan Parliament as an independent candidate from the Cherangany Constituency.