The 2014 B.A.A. 10K on Sunday, June 22, will bring together some of the fastest and most experienced runners in the world, led by Olympic and World Championship medalists, as well as two of the most decorated marathoners in history. Run on a blistering fast course through Boston's Back Bay and Beacon Hill neighborhoods, the B.A.A. 10K will showcase several of the world's top athletes as they return to familiar territory.

Geoffrey Mutai (KEN), the world's fastest marathoner, 2011 Boston Marathon champion, and two-time B.A.A. 10K victor, returns to square off against defending champion Stephen Sambu (KEN) and Olympic silver medalist Dejen Gebremeskel (ETH). On the women’s side, defending B.A.A. 10K champion Mamitu Daska (ETH); 2011 Boston Marathon and B.A.A. 10K champion Caroline Kilel (KEN); and 2014 Boston Marathon runner-up Buzunesh Deba (ETH), will vie for top honors.

MEN’S RACE
Mutai, 32, ran his way into Boston running lore in 2011, claiming the 115th Boston Marathon men’s title in a time of 2:03:02. It remains the fastest marathon ever run under all conditions. Two months later, Mutai returned in June of 2011 to win the inaugural B.A.A. 10K by nearly a minute in 27:19.

"For me it was like a dream, because I can win the Boston Marathon and then I come to win the B.A.A. 10K. I feel like I am special now in Boston. I feel like I am at home, I enjoy myself in Boston," Mutai told reporters in 2011.

At last year’s B.A.A. 10K, Kenya's Stephen Sambu raced down the final straight on Charles Street out front, finishing ahead of 2013 Boston Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa. This Spring, Sambu posted a time of 26:54.61 for 10,000 meters on the track in Oregon.

Similar to Mutai and Sambu, Ethiopia's Dejen Gebremeskel is also a B.A.A. champion. Although he is only 24-years-old, Gebremeskel already can count an Olympic silver medal at 5000 meters and a pair of B.A.A. 5K titles among his achieivements. On April 19, Gebremeskel narrowly edged American Ben True at the B.A.A. 5K, which was a race so close that both were given the same finishing time of 13:26.

Both Gebre Gebremariam, ETH, runner-up at the 2011 B.A.A. 10K, and Sam Chelanga, KEN, fourth in 2011, are familiar with Boston and the stretch run between Boston Common and the Public Garden.

WOMEN’S RACE
Ethiopia's Mamitu Daska hopes to become the event’s first female two-time champion, as the 30-year-old returns defend her 2013 crown. A year ago, Daska ran a dominant race, breaking away in the opening mile. In her wire-to-wire victory, Daska led by 35 seconds at the three mile mark before finishing in a then personal best of 31:44 for 10 kilometers.

"I’m glad I did it the way I did, and that’s what I wanted," she said following her win. "This is exactly what I was expecting to do {today]."

At this year's B.A.A. 5K on April 19, Daska ran strong through two miles, but was narrowly defeated in the final meters by American Molly Huddle. Determined to return to the top of the podium, Daska brings an aggressive, race-from-the-front style in every race she starts.

Expected to challenge Daska are a number of top athletes from Ethiopia and Kenya, all of whom have formidable credentials on the track and roads. Ethiopian Werknesh Kidane and Kenyan Lineth Chepkurui  - winners of the 2012 and 2011 B.A.A. 5K, respectively - return to the Bay State seeking another victory on the streets of Boston. Caroline Kilel, the 2011 Boston Marathon champion and inaugural B.A.A. 10K winner, has a wealth of experience on Boston’s roads.

Among the top Americans entered are Boston Athletic Association team members Jen Rhines and Heather Cappello. Rhines, 39, has represented Team USA at three Olympic Games (2000, 2004, and 2008), while Cappello, 34, was a standout at Providence College.

$10,000 (USD) is the first place award for the men’s and women’s champions, and a total prize purse of $48,500 (USD) will be distributed to the top ten women overall, the top three in the masters division, and the top three in the push rim wheelchair division. $7500 will be awarded for a men’s or women’s course record in the open division.

The B.A.A. 10K begins on Sunday, June 22, at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Charles Street between Boston Common and the Public Garden. The 6.2-mile course is a scenic tour through Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Following its start on Charles Street, the race winds down picturesque Commonwealth Avenue and Bay State Road as far west as Babcock Street near Boston University, before heading back on Commonwealth Avenue, around the Public Garden, and finishing on Charles Street. Registration for the B.A.A. 10K is closed. For more information about the B.A.A. 10K, please visitwww.baa.org.

( ) Indicates 10,000 meters on the track

PRIZE MONEY 
A total of $48,500 (USD) in prize money will be awarded equally to men and women based on the time from the starting gun (not by net time). Masters division (40 and older) runners will be eligible for both overall prize money awards and Masters Division prize money awards.

NEW BONUS STRUCTURE FOR 2014 
Bonuses for event record times established at B.A.A. Distance Medley events will be $5,000 for the B.A.A. 5K, $7,500 for the B.A.A. 10K, and $10,000 for the B.A.A. Half Marathon. Boston Marathon event record bonuses continue to be provided through John Hancock’s sponsorship of the Boston Marathon. In addition, a runner who wins three of those four events in 2014 will be awarded $50,000. Only the single highest bonus will be awarded to a runner.

BONUS INCENTIVES FOR TOP OVERALL FINISHES IN 2014 B.A.A. EVENTS*

• Win three of the four events $50,000
• Win two of the four events $20,000
• Place among the top two in three of the four events $10,000
• Place among the top three in three of the four events $5,000