Bekele and Kandie battle in New York City Marathon showdown

Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele runs during the Men's elite race at the London marathon on April 23, 2017 in London. / AFP PHOTO

History and pride clearly describes the 50th New York City Marathon that gets underway today at 3:30pm.

Two multiple world champions have trained their sights on the big prize purse as they battle at the World Athletics Elite Platinum Label road race for the first time.