VOICE ONE:
This year, thousands of people from many nations are runningmarathon races in the United States. Many cities hold these races ofmore than forty-two kilometers. I’m Sarah Long.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Steve Ember. Marathons and the growing popularity ofrunning are our story today on the VOA Special English program, THISIS AMERICA.
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VOICE ONE:
More than sixteen-thousand people will compete April Fifteenth inthe one-hundred-sixth Boston Marathon. The race is the oldestmarathon in the world held each year.
Men and women over eighteen run in the marathon. The largestnumber of runners, eight-thousand-six hundred, is in the under fortygroup. It is not surprising that the smallest number, forty-five, isin the seventy and older age group.
Winners of the Two-Thousand-One Boston Marathon in the under ageforty group will race again this year. Lee Bong-Ju (Bahng-‘ZHEW) ofSouth Korea won the men’s race last year. Catherine Ndereba (Dair’EH bah) of Kenya won the women’s race. They are among many seriouscompetitors in the Two-Thousand-Two marathon.
Winners will share five-hundred-twenty-five-thousand dollars inprize money given by companies and organizations.
VOICE TWO:
Runners in the Boston Marathon have demonstrated that they aregood at the sport. They completed earlier races called qualifyingraces. They have to run those races within a set time.
Other people join the Boston Marathon just for fun. These peoplehave not officially joined the race. They just start running withthe crowds. They are called bandits. Many of them probably willfinish hours after the serious runners. But these unofficial racersare just as happy. They sometimes kiss the ground after crossing thefinish line.
VOICE ONE:
The runners will begin this year’s Boston Marathon at noon nextMonday in the town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts. They will then passthrough the towns of Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newtonand Brookline. They will run up and down hills. They will completethe race in the center of Boston.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to watch themarathon. Many will carry signs that say things like, “We are proudof you, Mommy.”
Security for both watchers and runners has been increased thisyear, after the terrorist attacks on the United States lastSeptember.
VOICE TWO:
Before the marathon begins, a computer chip device is attached toeach runner’s shoe. It electronically records how long the runnertakes to complete the race. Timing begins when a runner passesanother device placed across the road at the starting line. Thecomputer chip records each runner’s time as he or she passes overseveral areas along the race. And it records the runner’s final timewhen crossing the finish line.
Last year, Lee Bong-Ju ran his winning race in two hours, nineminutes and forty-three seconds. Women’s winner Catherine Nderebafinished in two hours, twenty-three minutes and fifty-three seconds.
VOICE ONE:
People who cannot walk also compete in the Boston Marathon.Competitors in wheelchairs begin the race earlier than others. TheBoston Marathon became the first major marathon to include users ofwheelchairs in Nineteen-Seventy-Five.
Last year, South African competitor Ernst VanDyk won thewheelchair race. He finished in one hour twenty-five minutes andtwelve seconds. That was more than six minutes faster than hisclosest competitor.
VOICE TWO:
The first Boston Marathon was held in Eighteen-Ninety-Seven.Fifteen men competed. Ten finished the race. Since then, themarathon has been held every year as part of a holiday inMassachusetts called Patriot’s Day. The holiday honors the beginningof the American War of Independence in the Seventeen-Seventies.
This year, several special events are planned for Patriot’s Day.For example, musicians will perform Eighteenth-Century music at apublic gathering place at Hopkinton where the race begins.
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VOICE ONE:
The word “marathon” comes from an area along the coast of Greece.An important battle took place in Marathon abouttwo-thousand-five-hundred years ago. An army from Persia had invadedGreece. Greece’s army defeated the invading army at Marathon. AnAthenian general sent a Greek runner to Athens to tell the news ofthe victory. Marathon was about forty kilometers from Athens. Theman ran to Athens at top speed. He announced his message. Then hefell to the ground, dead.
A men’s marathon of about forty kilometers was included in thefirst modern Olympic games in Eighteen-Ninety-Six. The distance ofthe marathon was increased to forty-two and two-tenths kilometers atthe Nineteen-Oh-Eight Olympics in London. The marathon continues tobe a popular Olympic sport.
VOICE TWO:
Many American cities in addition to Boston hold marathons. Forexample, the United States Marine Marathon will take place OctoberThird in Washington, D.C., and the state of Virginia.
Chicago also will hold its Two-Thousand-Two Marathon in October.The running area in Chicago is almost completely flat. This haspermitted runners to set some of the world’s fastest times there.The Chicago race offers more than five-hundred-thousand dollars inprize money.
New York will hold its marathon in November. This marathon is solarge that competitors must take part in a game of chance to win theright to enter. As many as thirty-thousand people have run in NewYork Marathons.
VOICE ONE:
About six- thousand people ran in the new Washington, D.C.,Marathon on March Twenty-Fourth. It was the first forty-two andtwo-tenths-kilometer race ever held completely inside the city.
Marathon planners are pleased with the areas they chose for thecompetition. Racers ran through the city center near famousmemorials and buildings like the Capitol. They also ran through manyof the different areas of the city where people live.
Andrey Kuznetsov of the nearby state of Maryland won the men’srace in the Washington Marathon. He is forty-four years old. Hecrossed the finish line after two hours twenty-three minutes andforty seconds. A mother of three young children from Atlanta,Georgia, won the women’s race. Forty-year-old Victoria Millsfinished in two hours fifty-four minutes twenty-nine seconds. Eachwon two-thousand dollars.
Los Angeles, California also held its marathon in March. Morethan eighteen-thousand runners competed.
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VOICE TWO:
Thirty years ago, far fewer people ran in the United States.Today, millions run. Many more women now take part in the sport.Many children in public and private schools run as part of theirphysical-education programs.
Running has gained popularity for several reasons. You can do itanywhere, any time. You do not need other people. And you do notneed much equipment. However, experts suggest you wear a good pairof running shoes to protect your feet. The manufacture of runningshoes has become a huge industry in the United States.
Other popular products for runners include special watches sothey can record their times. Runners often buy drinks that containminerals said to increase energy. Some carry water or energy drinksin unbreakable plastic bottles they wear on the belts.
VOICE ONE:
People run for different reasons. Most say running makes themfeel better physically. It prevents them from gaining weight. Itprovides needed exercise to help prevent some diseases.
Many people also say running makes them feel better mentally. Itmakes them feel happier. Some say they forget their worries whenthey run.
Sports experts, however, urge people to prepare themselves beforetrying to run in long races. They say special exercises and repeatedruns are needed to build strength.
Doctors also urge runners to make sure they are in good healthbefore entering a marathon. They say forty-two kilometers is a longway to run as fast as you can without stopping.
VOICE TWO:
Brett Silver is a young businesswoman in Los Angeles, California.She has run the Los Angeles Marathon two times. Last month, shefinished the race in an hour less than she did the year before. Shesays she improved because she now awakens early and runs beforework.
Mizz Silver describes her feelings at crossing the finish line ofa marathon. She says, “You feel terribly tired. At the same time,you feel just wonderful.”
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VOICE ONE:
This program was written by Shelley Gollust and Jerilyn Watson.It was produced by Caty Weaver. I’m Sarah Long.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Steve Ember. Join us again next week for another reportabout life in the United States on the VOA Special English program,THIS IS AMERICA.
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