Priscah Jeptoo defends New York City marathon

Kenyan Mutai is the course record holder in the men's race and the two-time defending champion.

He can become the third man in the race's history to win three or more marathons in the Big Apple and the first since Alberto Salazar's trio of victories between 1980 and 1982.

Mutai is joined on the start line by a stellar cast, though, including Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi.

Keflezighi was also triumphant in New York in 2009, while Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia is a former champion.

Mutai also goes head-to-head with compatriot Wilson Kipsang, the world-record holder, who is making his first appearance in the race.

Fellow Kenyan Jeptoo secured the 2012-13 women's World Marathon Majors (WMM) series title with victories at the London and New York.

The 30-year-old missed this year's London marathon through injury and is extra determined to win in New York.

Speaking in August, she said: "I know the field will be extremely competitive in New York as it is every year, but I will try my best to win again."

If Jeptoo does succeed she would become the seventh woman to win in two consecutive races.

But she is joined in the line-up by three former champions in Firehiwot Dado, Edna Kiplagat and Jelena Prokopcuka.

Ethiopia's Buzunesh Deba also has eyes on the top prize

The Bronx resident has finished runner-up twice, agonisingly missing out by just four seconds in 2011 and less than a minute in 2013.

"As they say, 'the third time's the charm,'" she said. "I can't wait to get back again on the streets of my hometown."

The race takes in all five boroughs of New York City in the 26.2 mile route that starts in Staten Island and ends in Central Park.

A familiar face will be among the near 50,000 participants as tennis star Caroline Wozniacki returns to New York after finishing runner-up at the US Open at Flushing Meadows in September.

Ahead of the race WMM postponed an awards ceremony where Rita Jeptoo, no relation to Priscah, was due to receive the women's prize and winner's cheque.

The Kenyan's victory at the Chicago Marathon last month secured the WMM series, but she allegedly failed an A-sample doping test in September.

Her B-sample has apparently yet to be tested - forcing the WMM to delay the ceremony.

Rita Jeptoo was not scheduled to compete in New York.