Xiamen (China), Jan 1 (IANS): The Xiamen International Marathon Thursday is likely to be a battle between Ethiopian and Kenyan runners.

As the first IAAF Gold Label Road Race of 2014, the 12th edition of the race is looking forward to new records. The men's course record has been broken for the last five years and this year it is possible to tumble again, reports Xinhua.

Ethiopia's Negari Terfa clocked 2:07:32 in 2013 for the win, setting the current course record while Kenya's Peter Kamais was fastest in 2012 with 2:07:37. The 30-year-old Terfa had another win at the Rome Marathon (2:07:56) in March 2013.

However, there are three other athletes with faster personal bests. Terfa's compatriot Endeshaw Negesse, 25, has the fastest time of 2:04:52 set in Dubai 2013 and he also won in Florence 2012 with 2:09:59. Kenyans Mariko Kiplagat, Nathaniel Kipkosgei and Elijah Keitany all have personal bests under 2:07 and could challenge the in this race.

Xiamen International Marathon has attracted more than 70,000 runners this year.