Naoko Sakamoto, who won the Osaka International Women's Marathon last month, will take part in the Yokohama International Women's Ekiden later this month as a member of the Japanese national team.
On Friday, the Japan Association of Athletics Federations said Sakamoto was selected along with veteran Harumi Hiroyama as a member of the Japanese team in the 42.195-km race which will start and finish at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse on Feb. 22.
Sydney Olympic 10,000-meter gold medalist Deratu Tulu and Atlanta Olympic marathon gold medalist Fatuma Roba will compete for Ethiopia on one of the six invited teams from overseas.
Tatyana Tomashova, winner of the 1,500 meters at the 2003 World Athletics Championships, and women's 3,000-meter steeplechase world record holder Guinara Samitova are featured on the Russian team, which will be aiming for its second straight title.