Mutai faces elite NYC challengers

— --

The favorites

Wilson Kipsang, Kenya (personal best: 2:03:23) -- Just a few weeks ago, Kipsang was the world's fastest marathoner. That changed when Dennis Kimetto and Emmanuel Mutai ran under Kipsang's previous world record of 2:03:23 at the Berlin Marathon. 

The New York City Marathon course will most likely not produce a record time, but Kipsang has won his last two marathons, in Berlin in 2013 and earlier this year in London. He also finished fourth earlier this summer at the Bogota Half-Marathon, running 65:26 at altitude.

This marathon will be different from his previous two because there are no pace setters in New York. Instead of a race against the clock, Kipsang's tactics will be tested. The last time placing mattered over time Kipsang came away with a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He has made it known that he will work with training partner Geoffrey Mutai to try to break Mutai's course record of 2:05:06.

Geoffrey Mutai, Kenya (personal best: 2:03:02) -- Mutai has also previously been recognized as the world's fastest marathoner, though his 2:03:02 came on a Boston course that is not record-eligible because of its point-to-point layout.

Mutai comes to New York looking to become just the third man in history to win three straight races in NYC. The last to do so was Alberto Salazar in 1980-82. This is Mutai's third run on the New York course, which gives him an edge over NYC newcomer Kipsang. Mutai looks to rebound from a 2:08:18 at the London Marathon, where he finished five places behind Kipsang in sixth, though the training partners have gone head-to-head five times in their careers, with Mutai winning four of the races.

The contender

Lelisa Desisa, Ethiopia (personal best: 2:04:45) -- Desisa had a strong year in 2013, winning the Dubai and Boston marathons before his silver medal at the IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships. A 59:36 victory at the RAK Half Marathon in February pointed toward another strong performance in Boston, but the defending champion could not finish the race due to an ankle injury.

Desisa most recently tested himself against a strong field in the B.A.A. Half-Marathon on Oct. 12 and won in 1:01:38. New York will be just his fifth career marathon, following his posting the fifth-fastest marathon debut in history (2:04:45 at Dubai, his only race under 2:10) in 2012 and running three 26.2-mile races in 2013. 

The dark horse

Meb Keflezighi, USA (personal best: 2:08:37) -- Keflezighi's 23rd-place showing in New York last year needs some perspective. Meb's brother/agent Merhawi told ESPN.com that the 2009 New York champion should not have even toed the line last November due to injury, but because of the cancellation of the 2012 race after Superstorm Sandy and the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, Meb wanted to be in the field and push the pace from the start.

Keflezighi is a magical tactician who performs at the highest level when it counts. The last time he faced off against Kipsang was at the 2012 Olympics, where he was less than two minutes from bumping Kipsang from the podium. New York is a course that can be treated with championship-style tactics, which Meb used successfully while winning the 2012 Olympic trials in 2:09:08 at age 36. You can't ever count Meb out.

Among other Americans, Ryan Vail was the top U.S. finisher last year and enters with a 2:10 personal best. With the exception of last year's windy race and 13th-place finish, Vail has dropped his time in every career marathon attempt. Meb will also be challenged by Nick Arciniaga, who was the second American across the finish line in Boston, placing seventh in 2:11:47.