Olympics: Japan's Yurika Nakamura 13th in women's marathon

Olympics: Japan's Yurika Nakamura 13th in women's marathon

BEIJING, China - Yurika Nakamaura of Japan runs past the finishing line at the National Stadium in Beijing, clocking 2 hours, 30 minutes, 19 seconds for 13th place in the women's marathon of the Beijing Olympics on Aug. 17. Romania's Constantina Tomescu won the race in 2:26:44.

Noguchi heads Japan's marathon squad for Beijing

Noguchi heads Japan's marathon squad for Beijing

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) World bronze medalist Reiko Tosa, Athens Olympic gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi and Nagoya International Women's Marathon winner Yurika Nakamura pose in Tokyo, Kyoto and Okayama respectively on March 10 after the Japan Association of Athletics Federations announced earlier in the day the country's women's marathon squad for the Beijing Olympics.

Nakamura picked for Beijing Olympics

Nakamura picked for Beijing Olympics

OKAYAMA, Japan - Nagoya International Women's Marathon winner Yurika Nakamura is presented with flowers in Okayama on March 10 after the Japan Association of Athletics Federations announced earlier in the day the country's women's marathon squad for the Beijing Olympics.

Noguchi heads Japan's marathon squad for Beijing

Noguchi heads Japan's marathon squad for Beijing

TOKYO, Japan - Athens Olympic gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi smiles during a news conference in Kyoto on March 10. She was officially given the go-ahead to defend her Olympic title this summer as the Japan Association of Athletics Federations announced earlier in the day the country's marathon squad for the Beijing Games, which also includes world bronze medalist Reiko Tosa and Nagoya winner Yurika Nakamura.

Nakamura wins Nagoya marathon

Nakamura wins Nagoya marathon

NAGOYA, Japan - Yurika Nakamura smiles after winning the Nagoya International Women's Marathon on March 9. Nakamura won the third and final domestic qualifier for Beijing on her full marathon debut in 2 hours, 25 minutes 51 seconds.

Nakamura wins Nagoya marathon

Nakamura wins Nagoya marathon

NAGOYA, Japan - Yurika Nakamura runs cross the finish line to win the Nagoya Women's International Marathon on March 9. Nakamura won the third and final domestic qualifier for Beijing on her full marathon debut in 2 hours, 25 minutes 51 seconds, giving a selection headache to Japanese athletics officials scheduled to pick the Olympic squad on Monday.

Nakamura wins Nagoya marathon

Nakamura wins Nagoya marathon

NAGOYA, Japan - Yurika Nakamura smiles after winning the Nagoya International Women's Marathon on March 9. Nakamura won the third and final domestic qualifier for Beijing on her full marathon debut in 2 hours, 25 minutes 51 seconds. (Kyodo)

Nakamura wins Nagoya marathon

Nakamura wins Nagoya marathon

NAGOYA, Japan - Yurika Nakamura runs cross the finish line to win the Nagoya Women's International Marathon on March 9. Nakamura won the third and final domestic qualifier for Beijing on her full marathon debut in 2 hours, 25 minutes 51 seconds, giving a selection headache to Japanese athletics officials scheduled to pick the Olympic squad on Monday. (Kyodo)

Noguchi heads Japan's marathon squad for Beijing

Noguchi heads Japan's marathon squad for Beijing

TOKYO, Japan - Athens Olympic gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi smiles during a news conference in Kyoto on March 10. She was officially given the go-ahead to defend her Olympic title this summer as the Japan Association of Athletics Federations announced earlier in the day the country's marathon squad for the Beijing Games, which also includes world bronze medalist Reiko Tosa and Nagoya winner Yurika Nakamura. (Kyodo)

Noguchi heads Japan's marathon squad for Beijing

Noguchi heads Japan's marathon squad for Beijing

TOKYO, Japan - (From L to R) World bronze medalist Reiko Tosa, Athens Olympic gold medalist Mizuki Noguchi and Nagoya International Women's Marathon winner Yurika Nakamura pose in Tokyo, Kyoto and Okayama respectively on March 10 after the Japan Association of Athletics Federations announced earlier in the day the country's women's marathon squad for the Beijing Olympics. (Kyodo)

Nakamura picked for Beijing Olympics

Nakamura picked for Beijing Olympics

OKAYAMA, Japan - Nagoya International Women's Marathon winner Yurika Nakamura is presented with flowers in Okayama on March 10 after the Japan Association of Athletics Federations announced earlier in the day the country's women's marathon squad for the Beijing Olympics. (Kyodo)

Olympics: Japan's Yurika Nakamura 13th in women's marathon

Olympics: Japan's Yurika Nakamura 13th in women's marathon

BEIJING, China - Yurika Nakamaura of Japan runs past the finishing line at the National Stadium in Beijing, clocking 2 hours, 30 minutes, 19 seconds for 13th place in the women's marathon of the Beijing Olympics on Aug. 17. Romania's Constantina Tomescu won the race in 2:26:44. (Kyodo)