The Japan Association of Athletics Federations announced the selection of eight marathoners and seven race walkers for the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Moscow on Thursday.

Popular runner Yuki Kawauchi headlines the men's marathon squad, while Ryoko Kizaki and Athens Olympic gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi will lead the female marathon team in August in Russia.

"As we finished the London Olympics (last year) and aim to build up for the Rio Olympics (in 2016), we've had satisfying selections," JAAF secretary general Mitsugi Ogata said at a Tokyo news conference on Thursday.