DUNCAN KIBET (#1)

AGE: 30

CITIZEN OF: Kenya

RESIDENCE: Kenya

BEST 10K: 27:57.1

OF NOTE: Defending champion whose winning time (27:51.7) was the sixth-fastest road 10K in the world last year. Won the 2006 Rock ’n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon in 1:00:22, the second fastest half ever run on American soil. Also won the 2006 Oxxo21 Half (1:01:40) in Mexico.

TEREFE MAREGU (#2)

AGE: 25

CITIZEN OF: Ethiopia

RESIDENCE: Ethiopia

BEST 10K: 27:14.3 (track)

OF NOTE: A first-timer to Beach to Beacon, Maregu won last month’s Peachtree 10K on a muggy day in Atlanta in 28:30. Nine days later, he won the Utica (N.Y.) Boilermaker 15K before returning to train at altitude in Ethiopia. In June he placed third in the Prefontaine Classic 10K in Eugene, Ore. In April he won the Carlsbad (Calif.) 5K in 13:34. Currently ranked No. 1 in the world by Running Times magazine.

THOMAS NYARIKI (#4)

AGE: 36

CITIZEN OF: KenyaRESIDENCE: Nakuru, Kenya

BEST 10K: 27:30

OF NOTE: The 2006 Beach to Beacon winner in 27:48, Nyariki placed eighth last year. His third place finish (28:05) in 2005 marked his return to the international racing scene after a 2003 carjacking episode left him without sight in his right eye. Strong 2006 season also included a victory at the NYC Half Marathon (1:01.22) and 2nd at the Falmouth 7M (32:03). A former Olympian, he took 5th in 5000m at 1996 Olympics and 3rd at the 1997 World Championship at 5000m.

GILBERT OKARI (#5)

AGE: 30

CITIZEN OF: Kenya

RESIDENCE: West Chester, Pa.

BEST 10K: 27:28

OF NOTE: A three-time champion who set the course record in 2003, Okari returns to Cape Elizabeth after missing the 2007 edition. He was third in 2006, the only year he failed to break 28 minutes (28:08). His first race this year came in May in Spokane, Wash., where he placed 12th in the Bloomsday 12K.

JOHN KORIR (#6)

AGE: 32

CITIZEN OF: Kenya

RESIDENCE: Kenya

BEST 10K: 27:47

OF NOTE: One of the most consistent road racers in the world, Korir is currently ranked 19th by Running Times magazine. Placed fourth at the 2005 Beach to Beacon and fifth in 2006. Missed the 2004 race due to injury but finished second behind Okari in 2003, the same year he was named the world’s top road racer. Earlier this year, placed third in Bloomsday 12K.

BOAZ CHEBOIYWO (#8)

AGE: 30

CITIZEN OF: Kenya

RESIDENCE: Michigan

BEST 10K: 27:46 (track)

OF NOTE: The NCAA champion in cross country in 2001 and 10,000 meters in 2002 while running for Eastern Michigan University, he went on to coach at Concordia University in Ann Arbor. Placed third in 2006 Crescent City Classic...