THIS IS AMERICA - Marathons

THIS IS AMERICA -April 8, 2002: Marathons

By Shelley Gollust and Jerilyn Watson

VOICE ONE:
This year, thousands of people from many nations are running marathon races in the United States. Many cities

hold these races of more than forty-two kilometers. I’m Sarah Long.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Steve Ember. Marathons and the growing popularity¹ of running are our

story today on the VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
((THEME)
VOICE ONE:
More than sixteen-thousand people will compete April

Fifteenth in the one-hundred-sixth Boston Marathon. The race is the oldest
marathon in the world held each year.

Pictures of last year's New
York City Marathon, held
Nov. 4.
Men and women over eighteen run in the marathon. The largest number of runners, eight-thousand-six hundred,
is in the under forty group. It is not surprising that the smallest number, forty-five, is in the seventy and older age
group.

Winners of the Two-Thousand -One Boston Marathon in the under age forty group will race again this year. Lee
Bong-Ju (Bahng -‘ZHEW) of South Korea won the men’s race last year. Catherine Ndereba (Dair ‘EH bah) of
Kenya won the women’s race. They are among many serious competitors in the Two-Thousand-Two marathon.

Winners will share five-hundred-twenty-five -thousand dollars in prize money given by companies and
organizations.

VOICE TWO:

Runners in the Boston Marathon have demonstrated² that they are good at the sport. They completed earlier races
called qualifying³ races. They have to run those races within a set time.

Other people join the Boston Marathon just for fun. These people have not officially joined the race. They just
start running with the crowds. They are called bandits⁴. Many of them probably will finish hours after the serious
runners. But these unofficial racers are just as happy. They sometimes kiss the ground after crossing the finish
line.

VOICE ONE:

The runners will begin this year’s Boston Marathon at noon next Monday in the town of Hopkinton,
Massachusetts. They will then pass through the towns of Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton and
Brookline. They will run up and down hills. They will complete the race in the center of Boston.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to watch the marathon. Many will carry signs that say things like,
“We are proud of you, Mommy.
”

Security⁵ for both watchers and runners has been increased this year, after the terrorist⁶ attacks on the United States
last September.

VOICE TWO:


Before the marathon begins, a computer chip device⁷ is attached to each runner’s shoe. It electronically records
how long the runner takes to complete the race. Timing⁸ begins when a runner passes another device placed across
the road at the starting line. The computer chip records each runner’s time as he or she passes over several areas
along the race. And it records the runner’s final time when crossing the finish line.

Last year, Lee Bong-Ju ran his winning race in two hours, nine minutes and forty-three seconds. Women’s
winner Catherine Ndereba finished 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. The Boston Marathon became the first major marathon to include users⁹ of wheelchairs in Nineteen-
Seventy-Five.

Last year, South African competitor Ernst VanDyk won the wheelchair race. He finished in one hour twenty-five
minutes and twelve seconds. That was more than six minutes faster than his closest competitor.

VOICE TWO:

The first Boston Marathon was held in Eighteen-Ninety-Seven. Fifteen men competed. Ten finished the race.
Since then, the marathon has been held every year as part of a holiday in Massachusetts called Patriot’s Day.
The holiday honors¹⁰ the beginning of 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 a public gathering¹¹ place at Hopkinton where the race begins.

((BRIDGE MUSIC: “CHARIOTS OF FIRE”
THEME ))

VOICE ONE:

The word “marathon
”
comes from an area along the coast of Greece. An important battle took place in
Marathon about two-thousand-five -hundred years ago. An army from Persia had invaded¹² Greece. Greece’
s
army defeated the invading¹³ army at Marathon. An Athenian general sent a Greek runner to Athens to tell the
news of the victory. Marathon was about forty kilometers from Athens. The man ran to Athens at top speed. He
announced his message. Then he fell to the ground, dead.

A men’s marathon of about forty kilometers was included in the first modern Olympic games in Eighteen-
Ninety-Six. The distance of the marathon was increased to forty-two and two-tenths kilometers at the Nineteen-
Oh-Eight Olympics in London. The marathon continues to be a popular Olympic sport.

VOICE TWO:

Many American cities in addition to Boston hold marathons. For example, the United States Marine¹⁴ Marathon
will take place October Third 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 has permitted runners to set some of the world’s fastest times there. The Chicago race
offers more than five-hundred-thousand dollars in prize money.

New York will hold its marathon in November. This marathon is so large that competitors must take part in a
game of chance to win the right to enter. As many as thirty -thousand people have run in New York 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 and two-tenths-kilometer race ever held completely inside the city.

Marathon planners are pleased with the areas they chose for the competition. Racers ran through the city center
near famous memorials and buildings like the Capitol. They also ran through many of the different areas of the


city where people live.
Andrey Kuznetsov of the nearby state of Maryland won the men ’s race in the Washington Marathon. He is
forty-four years old. He crossed the finish line after two hours twenty-three minutes and forty seconds. A mother

of three young children from Atlanta, Georgia, won the women’s race. Forty-year-old Victoria Mills¹⁵ finished in
two hours fifty-four minutes twenty-nine seconds. Each won two-thousand dollars.
Los Angeles, California also held its marathon in March. More than eighteen-thousand runners competed.
((BRIDGE MUSIC: “CHARIOTS OF FIRE”)
)
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 their physical-education programs.
Running has gained popularity for several reasons. You can do it anywhere, any time. You do not need other

people. And you do not need much equipment. However, experts suggest you wear a good pair of running shoes
to protect your feet. The manufacture¹⁶ of running shoes has become a huge industry in the United States.
Other popular products for runners include special watches so they can record their times. Runners often buy

drinks that contain minerals said to increase energy. Some carry water or energy drinks in unbreakable plastic
bottles they wear on the belts.

VOICE ONE:
People run for different reasons. Most say running makes them feel better physically¹⁷. It prevents them from
gaining weight. It provides needed exercise to help prevent some diseases¹⁸.

Many people also say running makes them feel better mentally. It makes them feel happier. Some say they forget

their worries when they run.
Sports experts, however, urge people to prepare themselves before trying to run in long races. They say special
exercises and repeated runs are needed to build strength.

Doctors also urge runners to make sure they are in good health before entering a marathon. They say forty-two
kilometers is a long way 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, she finished the race in an hour less than she did the year before. She says she improved
because she now awakens¹⁹ early and runs before work.

Mizz Silver describes her feelings at crossing the finish line of a marathon. She says, “You feel terribly tired. At
the same time, you feel just wonderful.
”
((THEME)
)

VOICE ONE:
This program was written by Shelley Gollust and Jerilyn Watson. It was produced by Caty Weaver²⁰. I’m Sarah
Long.

VOICE TWO:
And I’m Steve Ember. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA
Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.


((THEME))
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1 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

2 demonstrated   

举行示威游行（或集会）( demonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )； 示范。展示； 显示； 论证

参考例句：

• All of those demonstrated the correctness of his analysis. 这一切都证明了他分析的正确性。
• The fireman demonstrated great courage in saving the child. 那位消防队员在抢救孩子的过程中，表现了极大的勇气。

3 qualifying   

使具有资格的

参考例句：

• players who fail at the pre-qualifying stage 在预选赛中淘汰掉的选手
• A doctoral candidate is required to pass a qualifying examination. 考博士需通过一个资格考试。

4 bandits   

土匪，强盗( bandit的名词复数 )； 盗匪； 盗贼； 草寇

参考例句：

• After a few hours of fierce fighting,we saw the intruding bandits off. 经过几小时的激烈战斗，我们赶走了入侵的匪徒。
• The bandits struggled to tear her away from the safe. 匪徒使劲想把她从保险柜跟前拉开。

5 security   

n.安全，安全感；防护措施；保证(金)，抵押(品)；债券，证券

参考例句：

• A security guard brought him down with a flying tackle.一名保安人员飞身把他抱倒。
• There was tight security at the airport when the President's plane landed.总统的专机降落时，机场的保安措施很严密。

6 terrorist   

n.恐怖主义者，恐怖分子

参考例句：

• Without the gun,I'm a sitting duck for any terrorist.没有这支枪，我就成了恐怖分子下手的目标了。
• The district was put on red alert during a terrorist's bomb scare.这个地区在得到恐怖分子炸弹恐吓后作了应急准备。

7 device   

n.器械，装置；计划，策略，诡计

参考例句：

• The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
• The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。

8 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

9 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。

10 honors   

n.礼仪；荣典；礼节； 大学荣誉学位；大学优等成绩；尊敬( honor的名词复数 )；敬意；荣誉；光荣

参考例句：

• He aims at honors. 他力求名誉。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We did the last honors to his remains. 我们向他的遗体告别。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

12 invaded   

v.侵入，侵略( invade的过去式和过去分词 )；涌入；侵袭；侵犯

参考例句：

• Troops invaded on August 9th that year. 军队是在那年的8月9日入侵的。
• The diseased tissue can be easily invaded by these microorganisms. 有病的组织容易被微生物侵袭。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 invading   

v.侵入，侵略( invade的现在分词 )；涌入；侵袭；侵犯

参考例句：

• The invading troops were guilty of rape and pillage. 侵略军犯了抢劫和强奸的罪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The invading army desecrated this holy place when they camped here. 侵略军在这块圣地上扎营就是对这块圣地的亵渎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

15 mills   

n.磨坊( mill的名词复数 )；磨粉机；作坊；工厂

参考例句：

• He was tall, dark and handsome, like a Mills and Boon hero. 他个头高大、皮肤黝黑、相貌堂堂，像通俗爱情小说的男主角。
• The captain wants to play Mills as defence in our next game. 队长想让密尔斯在下次比赛中打后卫。 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 manufacture   

n.产品，制造，制造业；vt.制造，加工；vi.参与制造

参考例句：

• The equipment is of our own manufacture.这设备是我们自己制造的。
• Plastic is an important manufacture.塑料是种重要产品。

17 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

18 diseases   

n.疾病( disease的名词复数 )；弊端；恶疾；痼疾

参考例句：

• Smoking is a causative factor in several major diseases. 抽烟是引起几种严重疾病的病因。
• The illness frequently coexists with other chronic diseases. 这种病往往与其他慢性病同时存在。

19 awakens   

v.（使）醒( awaken的第三人称单数 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到

参考例句：

• The scene awakens reminiscences of my youth. 这景象唤起我年轻时的往事。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The child awakens early in the morning. 这个小孩早晨醒得早。 来自辞典例句

20 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。