Geoffrey Mutai will look to score a hat trick as he aims to win his third straight title in the 2014 New York City Marathon on Sunday.

Mutai is expected to take the spotlight as most spectators are interested to see if the Kenyan will become the third man in history to win the NYC Marathon for three consecutive races. The 33-year-old won the race in 2011 and 2013. The 2012 race was cancelled due to the devastation brought by Hurricane Sandy.

Mutai knows that most of the candidates are setting their sights on him. He admitted that winning a championship-style race three straight years is very difficult, saying that there is no room for complacency.

"You must use your energy from start to end and be prepared mentally," Mutai said via The Morning Sun.

The 44th edition of one of the most popular races in the world will kick off on the Staten Island side of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. From the starting point, participants will run 26.2 miles and get the chance to catch a glimpse of the major New York City landmarks until they finish the course in Central Park.

One of the additional highlights of this year's race is the Foot Locker Challenge where five runners -- one from each borough -- will run together for the first 13.1 miles and race to the finish line from that point.

According to the official NYC Marathon website, the organizers will give out a guaranteed $705,000 prize purse. The winner of the men's and women's race will receive $100,000 dollar each.

The 2014 NYC Marathon will be shown live on ESPN starting 9 p.m. EST and will also be available through online live streaming via WatchESPN. Check the complete start time below.

The full course map for Sunday's marathon is available here, while the detailed elevation map can be seen here.

2014 NYC Marathon Schedule & Start Times

  • 8:30 a.m. EST - Wheelchair Division
  • 8:45 a.m. EST - Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge
  • 8:55 a.m. EST - Achilles Handcycle Category and Select Athletes With Disabilities
  • 9:10 a.m. EST - Professional Women
  • 9:40 a.m. EST - Wave 1 (including Professional Men)
  • 10:05 a.m. EST - Wave 2
  • 10:30 a.m. EST - Wave 3
  • 10:55 a.m. EST - Wave 4