Olympic silver medallist Sonia O'Sullivan will compete in next month's Coca-Cola Ras Na h-Eireann in Dunleer, a meeting the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) will also use to make final selections ahead of the World Cross Country Championships.
The meeting doubles as a national cross country short course trial after which, AAI selectors will confirm their six-strong men's and women's teams for the cross country championships in Lausanne, Switzerland from March 29th-30th.
"The first two athletes over the line in both the men's and women's race will qualify automatically for Lausanne, after that we will select the remainder of the teams," explained Liam Hennessy, AAI International Secretary.
In the women's event O'Sullivan is expected to line-out alongside Ireland teammates such as Anne Keenan Buckley and Una English amongst others for the 4km race.
"We are delighted to announce that Sonia is coming to race in Dunleer. She is the biggest ever Irish star to run in the Ras Na hEireann,' said race director Larry McGuill.
Hennessy said it was Ireland's intention to focus on the short course discipline in Lausanne, so the Dunleer race on March 16th should give a good indication of the athletes in form.