Josphat Kiprotich returns to Rio de Janeiro on Sunday to defend his title, spearheading a formidable Kenyan lineup.
Kiprotich clocked 2:13:29 to clinch the title last year.
Samwel Kiptoo (2:14:15) and Uganda's Benson Karameka (2:17:31) joined him on the podium.
The 31-year-old boasts a personal best of 2:09:08 set on April 24, 2022, at the Enschede Marathon, Netherlands, where he placed fourth behind Tadu Abate (2:07:59) of Ethiopia and compatriots Enock Onchari (2:07:52) and Julius Tuwei (2:07:43).
His impressive resume includes a bronze medal from last year’s Venlo Half Marathon in 59:41 and a silver medal from the 2018 Kenyan Championships in the 5,000m (13:38.26).
Kiprotich will face stiff competition from compatriots Zablon Chumba, Vestus Chemjor, Julius Tarus and Kiprotich Kirui,
Chumba has a 2:07:13 best set at the 2023 Doha Marathon where he placed fifth.
His trophy cabinet includes the 2021 Porto Marathon title (2:08:58) and the 2019 Toulouse Marathon (2:10:38).
The 32-year-old Tarus has a 2:07:35 lifetime best from the 2015 Eindhoven Marathon, where he finished fourth.
Tarus claimed silver at last year’s Qingdao Marathon (2:14:15) and bronze at the Yichang Marathon (2:15:03).
Chemjor is the 2023 Sao Paolo Marathon champion Chemjor, with a 2:15:20 best while Kirui won the 2012 Verona Marathon.
Kirui has a best of 2:08:48 set at the 2018 Paris Marathon where he finished seventh.
His decorated career includes victories at the 2017 Tallinn Marathon (2:09:22), 2012 Verona Marathon (2:11:34), and 2014 Poznan Marathon (2:13:28).
The Kenyan squad will face challenges from Brazilian runner Gilberto Lopes, who has a PB of 2:16:39 and the Ethiopian duo of Mersimoy Alem and Demiso Gudeta.
Alem, the Sofia Marathon silver medallist, has a PB of 2:14:31, while Gudeta, the 2021 Lagos Marathon bronze medallist, boasts a PB of 2:12:35.
The 2023 Lille Half Marathon champion Emily Chebet headlines the women's charge where she faces the likes of Betelhem Moge and Haregeweyni Hads from Ethiopia.
Moges is the 2015 Beijing Marathon champion while Hads is the 2021 Firenze Marathon champion.
