We have arrived at the end of the 2018 Diamond League. After four months of competitive racing in the men’s 100m, an unbelievable world record in the women's steeplechase, and PRs aplenty in the women's 800m, the outdoor track season is drawing to a close. Along the way, we've been introduced to Shelby Houlihan's kick, Noah Lyles' socks, Emmanuel Korir's bobbing head, and Yomif Kejelcha's grappling skills. 

It all comes to an end with the two finals—first in Zurich on Thursday and then Brussels on Friday. Here's a breakdown of the nine track finals in Zurich (Brussels to come Tuesday) with the nine races ranked from most to least intriguing.  

1. Men’s 200m

Field: 

Luxolo Adams (RSA)

Noah Lyles (USA)

Ramil Guliyev (TUR)

Aaron Brown (CAN)

Jereem Richards (TTO)

Alex Quinonez (ECU)

Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (GBR)

Alex Wilson (SUI)

Main Attraction: See if Noah Lyles has one more personal best in him in 2018.

Before, during, and after the race there’s nobody in track and field more exciting than Lyles. He can carry a race by himself, so although this race isn’t as deep as it could be, it’s an opportunity to see if Lyles can lower his PR even further in 2018. 

He’s set, or tied, a personal best in each one of his 200m races this year: 19.83, 19.69, 19.69, and 19.65. Guliyev should provide the best competition and after he ran 19.75 to win the European Championships he looks more and more like one of the few who can compete with Lyles.

2. Women’s 800m

Field:

Francine Niyonsaba (BDI)

Caster Semenya (RSA)

Habitam Alemu (ETH)

Ajee Wilson (USA)

Natoya Goule (JAM)

Selena Buchel (SUI)

Charlene Lipsey (USA)

Rababe Arafi (MAR)

Raevyn Rogers (USA)

Main Attraction: Can Caster Semenya pull the field to fast times?

Nine women are listed on the start list, which likely indicates that one is a rabbit (Buchel?). With Semenya in the field, there’s really no need. She’s shown that she doesn’t need a pacer to run fast and her quick starts drag the rest of the women to PBs. 

Semenya hasn’t lost an 800m race since September 6, 2015. Niyonsaba is always in the mix but has never had enough to beat her (she did beat her once, in 2012. Since then, Semenya has won 16 in a row against Niyonsaba). 

There was only one scratch of the top eight point earners on the year (Margaret Wambui)—meaning there’s a high likelihood of a rehash of the Monaco race where five women broke 1:57. Wambui’s spot will be filled by Charlene Lipsey, giving the Americans three entrants in the field. 

3. Women’s 5000m

Field:

Hellen Obiri (KEN)

Agnes Jebet Tirop (KEN)

Letesenbet Gidey (ETH)

Lilian Kasait Rengeruk (KEN)

Genzebe Dibaba (ETH)

Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui (KEN)

Eilish McColgan (GBR)

Sifan Hassan (NED)

Melissa Courtney (GBR)

Konstanze Klosterhalfen (GER)

Meskerem Mamo (ETH)

Meraf Bahta (ETH)

Senbere Teferi (ETH)

Main Attraction: To find out what form Genzebe Dibaba is in

In her last 5000m, Dibaba was a well-beaten sixth place in Rabat. Was that result a fluke or evidence of a shift in the dynamics of the women’s 5000m? We will find out in Zurich. All five of the women who beat Dibaba in Rabat will be in Zurich. Tirop and Hassan have looked the best recently, but Obiri, Gidey, Rengeruk, and Kipkirui made this a tough race for Dibaba even if she is sharp.

4. Men’s 1500m

Field:

Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN)

Elijah Motonei Manangoi (KEN)

Ayanleh Souleiman (DJI)

Filip Ingebrigtsen (NOR)

Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR)

Samuel Tefera (ETH)

Aman Wote (ETH)

Brahim Kaazouzi (MAR)

Jakub Holusa (CZE)

Abdelaati Iguider (MAR)

Taresa Tolosa (ETH)

Charles Da’Vall Grice (GBR)

Main Attraction: Can Jakob Ingebrigtsen outdo himself?

This race was ranked much lower (we get it Timothy Cheruiyot, you are better than everybody this year . . .), but then Jakob Ingebrigtsen squeaked into the field by virtue of some scratches. Now, we have something to watch. 

His running over the last month hasn’t given him much room to improve and yet, Ingebrigtsen has somehow perpetually exceeded expectations. He long ago surpassed good for a 17-year-old and good for a guy from Norway and instead can simply be described as one of the best 1500m runners in the world. 

A victory in Zurich, regardless of time, would be better than his 3:31 run in Monaco and his double victories at the European Championships. This isn’t to say he has good odds of pulling it off—or even placing in the top three. Despite Cheruiyot being the overwhelming favorite, the field as a whole is formidable. There isn’t much of a gap between second and tenth. But because he’s run so well, the only thing he’s missing (other than a major championship) is a win in a race like this.

5. Women’s 100m

Field:

Murielle Ahoure (CIV)

Marie-Josée Ta Lou (CIV)

Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor (NGR)

Dina Asher-Smith (GBR)

Dafne Schippers (NED)

Carina Horn (RSA)

Michelle-Lee Ahye (TTO)

Mujinga Kambundji (SUI)

Main Attraction: Can Ta Lou stay perfect in the 100m?

Ta Lou is 10-for-10 in 100m races this year, including all four of the Diamond League races she’s entered. That’s a surprising level of dominance in an event that looked to be destined for parity in 2018. 

She shares the world lead with Asher-Smith, 10.85, and this will be the first race between the two since the Brit put up that mark at the European Championships. In a field with no Americans or Jamaicans (Elaine Thompson qualified, but scratched), that is the head-to-head to watch. 

6. Men’s 3000m Steeplechase

Field:

Benjamin Kigen (KEN)

Conseslus Kipruto (KEN)

Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR)

Chala Beyo (ETH)

Evan Jager (USA)

Hillary Bor (USA)

Nicholas Kiptanui Bett (KEN)

Abraham Kibiwot (KEN)

Matthew Hughes (CAN)

Amos Kirui (KEN)

Leonard Kipkemoi Bett (KEN)

Kennedy Njiru (KEN)

Main Attraction: Is this the race where Evan Jager breaks 8 minutes?

Fingers crossed that the pacing is on target for something quick because sub-eight has been a rare commodity this year. Only El Bakkali has done it, running 7:58.15 in Monaco, outlasting Jager and leaving the American once again excruciatingly close to the dipping under eight minutes (he ran 8:01.02). 

All of best in the world will be in this race, including Kipruto the reigning world and Olympic champion. He also carries the honor of having a PR (8:00.12) more maddening than Jager’s 8:00.45

7. Women’s 400m Hurdles

Field:

Janieve Russell (JAM)

Dalilah Muhammad (USA)

Shamier Little (USA)

Sage Watson (CAN)

Georganne Moline (USA)

Léa Sprunger (SUI)

Wenda Nel (RSA)

Eilidh Doyle (GBR)

Main Attraction: Can Shamier Little join Sydney McLaughlin under 53 seconds this year?

Little’s 53.32 is the second-fastest on the year. Overall, she has three of the best six marks. Russell ran 53.46 in July and should keep this close with Little. For the United States, the event has become incredibly deep and looks right now to be the toughest event to make for the 2019 World Championships (although the women’s 100m hurdles is right there). 

Kori Carter has the bye because of her status as defending champion. That leaves Little, McLaughlin, Muhammad, Moline and Ashley Spencer for the three remaining spots. Conclusion: It’s good to be Kori Carter right now. 

8. Men’s 400m hurdles

Field:

Karsten Warholm (NOR)

Yasmani Copello (TUR)

TJ Holmes (USA)

Jose Reynaldo Bencosme De Leon (ITA)

Bershawn Jackson (USA)

Cornel Fredericks (RSA)

Kyron McMaster (IVB)

Rasmus Magi (EST)

Main Attraction: Warholm’s run for glory

Abderrahman Samba scratching means an anti-climactic end to a historic year from the event. Not only did Samba and Rai Benjamin move into the top three all-time, but five men broke 48 seconds this year in total. That hasn’t been done since 2012. 

With Samba and Benjamin not in this race, Warholm should get a chance to shine. The European champion has been overshadowed by those two at every turn despite turning in a season where he set personal bests on four separate occasions. 

9. Men’s 400m

Field:

Pieter Conradie (RSA)

Paul Dedewo (USA)

Fred Kerley (USA)

Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR)

Steven Gardiner (BAH)

Luguelin Santos (DOM)

Baboloki Thebe (BOT)

Nathan Strother (USA)

Main Attraction: Establish the 2019 pecking order

This field has some surprising names for a Diamond League final. Abdalelah Haroun and Isaac Makwala both scratched, opening up spaces for athletes lower down on the Diamond League standings. How low? 

Conradie was 21st in the standings with one point and he got the call-up. That means that 12 people ahead of him on the list passed at the chance to run in this race. 

The absence of the big names makes an easier path for Steven Gardiner. It will be interesting to see how fast he goes after breaking 20 seconds in the 200m and 44 in the 400m this year. When Michael Norman and Wayde Van Niekerk join the event next year, sub 44 looks to be a requirement for a medal.