Ben True, Buze Diriba and Nicole Sifuentes Return to Boston to Defend Their 2017 Titles

By Adam Kopet

The Boston Athletic Association announced the professional fields Monday for the 2018 B.A.A. 5K and Invitational Mile in a press release. The B.A.A. 5K and Invitational Mile take place April 14, two days before the Boston Marathon.

Ben True and Buze Diriba will look to defend their 2017 wins in the 5K. True is a four-time winner and set the American record at last year's event, running 13:20. Diriba, from Ethiopia, lives and trains in the United States and is a regular fixture in U.S. road races.

Other Americans in the men's race include Eric Jenkins, Tommy Curtin, and Scott Fauble. The international challengers include Hagos Gebrhiwet of Ethiopia, Daniel Salel of Kenya, Philip Langat of Kenya and Charles Philibert-Thiboutot of Canada.

Monicah Ngige of Kenya and Ethiopians Fotyen Tesfay and Gotytom Gebreslase are scheduled to join Diriba in the women's race. They will face an American contingent that includes Emily Sisson, Molly Seidel, Diane Nukuri, Sarah Pagano and Elaina Tabb.

Nicole Sifuentes returns to the women's Invitational Mile to defend her 2017 title, when she set the course record of 4:33.7. The Canadian will face a strong group of Americans including last year's runner-up Cory McGee. Also in the race are Lauren Johnson, Katrina Coogan, Amanda Rego, Shannon Osika and Becca Addison.

The 2017 men's champion, Nick Willis, is not entered as he returns from injury. One of the favorites to take the top spot is Drew Hunter. Challenging him are Patrick Casey, Daniel Winn, Daniel Herrera, Sam Parsons, John Simons, and Julian Oakley. Oakley, like Willis, is from New Zealand.