1. American Record Watch: In 2022, Emily Sisson ran 2:18:29 in Chicago to break Keira D’Amato’s previous mark, and to hold onto it this year she may need to be the top American. Emma Bates is coming in as the queen of consistency and a 5th place finish in Boston. If the company she kept there is any indication of her abilities on a quicker day, then she is capable of scaring that time. Regardless of hills or weather, AR pace is still 8+ seconds faster per mile than her tempo from spring. But Bates has run well in Chicago before –, she was 2nd here in 2021.

2. The Return of Molly: My rooting interest almost always lies in what’s best for the sport, and I unequivocally believe Molly Seidel running well is that. It has been a rocky two years for the Olympic bronze medalist, but she has pieced together a solid block here in advance of this one. After a 9th place finish at the US 20K Champs she put together a couple back-to-back 135 mile weeks. Seidel doesn’t need to hit a home run here… just get on base with the target of the Trials.

3. Mr 2:01 goes again: Kelvin Kiptum has a rule and it’s that he only runs sub-2:02 marathons. His Valencia win in 2022 put him on the map with far and away the best debut ever. Then in London, he ran his second half in 59:45, gave the WR a scare by running 2:01:25, and has left Kipchoge-heads everywhere questioning their allegiance to marathoning’s philosopher king. The question now becomes “can he find 16 more seconds?”

4. Welcome back Benson: The defending champion Benson Kipruto will be there to pick up any crumbs in the second half of the race if Kiptum goes out with too much intent. He wasn’t scared of Kipchoge in pre-race conversations in Boston, but how will he do without his best bud Evans Chebet by his side?

5. Be patient Ruth!: Remember the scene last year when Ruth Chepngetich was out with the elite men? Her first 5K was 15:11 and she came through the half in 65:44, yet somehow managed to still finish in 2:14:18, just shy of the previous WR. If she is in similar form and does NOT THAT again, then Tigst Assefa’s 2:11:53 might not be such an outlier much longer.

6. This is why Sifan trained through Worlds: Everything Sifan Hassan competes in now is must-watch television. She is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’ll get: stopping to stretch a bit in the middle, falling right before the finish line, or sitting way off the pace. But one thing that is consistent is that Sifan shows up to run fast and make things interesting! Despite her six races in Budapest, the two-time Olympic champion found time to do workouts between them. She will stick to Chepngetich.