Las Vegas ? Muhammad Ali is expected to be at the starting line Sunday when officials begin the New Las Vegas Marathon.

“He wants to be a part of this race,” said race chairman Bernie Yuman, a longtime friend and agent for Ali. Yuman said the 63-year-old former heavyweight boxing champion was retooling his schedule to join local dignitaries for starting ceremonies on the Las Vegas Strip.

About 11,000 runners are signed up to start the race beneath neon, fireworks and the sound of Elvis Presley’s recording of “Viva Las Vegas,” race president Bill Burke said.