VOA标准英语2011--Marathon Attracts Sports Tourists to Kenya’s Masai Mara

Marathon Attracts Sports Tourists to Kenya’s Masai Mara

It's called "The World's Wildest Marathon," and it drew more than 1600 athletes from around the world to a Kenyan game reserve last week. This was the third running of the Masai Mara Marathon - and it illustrates¹ Kenya's efforts to position itself as a sports tourism destination.

Long known as a premier² destination for animal safaris³, Kenya is working to increase its profile as a leader in the niche⁴ sports tourism industry.

Due to the global success of Kenyan marathoners, many tourists are interested in training or just running alongside⁵ these world-class athletes. The Masai Mara marathon provides just such an experience.

“They’re amazing. It’s just a complete different class. I mean, it’s hard running up here, partly because of the altitude. Uh, I hadn’t really done that much training. They’re just incredible,” said Richard Hawkins, a marathon participant.

The marathon's course takes the runners through the Masai Mara, a large game reserve in southwestern Kenya.

Unlike other marathons, this one requires athletes to run through terrain⁶ inhabited⁷ by wild animals, and usually only accessible by 4-wheel-drive vehicles.

“It was great. It was everything I wanted it to be. There were tons of animals running around everywhere while we were running, and everyone here seems to be having a great time. So, I love it,” said Chris Liefers, another participant.

Traditionally cattle herders, the Masai people themselves participate in the events, which take place on their lands. Their presence is a highlight for many of the foreign runners.

“It’s great to see the locals are here, the Masai. It’s wonderful to watch their traditional dances and see everybody coming together,” Hawkins said.

Kenyans hope events such as this will encourage even more tourists to come to their country.

Tourism is already Kenya’s second largest industry, after agriculture - bringing in millions of dollars every year.

Recent threats by the Somali terrorist⁸ organization al-Shabaab, and kidnappings of Westerners in northern Kenya, have some worried about a chilling⁹ effect on tourism. But race organizer John Conchella says terrorist threats are not discouraging participation¹⁰.

“This marathon, for the first time, has received many people, to run, from the international community. It’s a time when the country is at war. So if it was really affecting international travels, I would have said we would have gotten none this time around. But I don’t think al-Shabaab has anything to do with our marathon,” Conchella said.

The runners seem to agree that the benefits outweigh¹¹ the risks.

“I think everywhere, there’s danger everywhere. And this al-Shabaab thing, if you decide you’re going to stay in the house, you’re never going to do anything. So for me, it doesn’t make any difference,” participant Carol Magondu said.

So for now, the runners’ biggest concern is simply making it to the finish line.

“But the finishing of course, was my best part ever. And I think, today, I did a bit better than before. Although it was a bit challenging. But, I think I did good,” Magondu said.

1 illustrates   

给…加插图( illustrate的第三人称单数 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明

参考例句：

• This historical novel illustrates the breaking up of feudal society in microcosm. 这部历史小说是走向崩溃的封建社会的缩影。
• Alfred Adler, a famous doctor, had an experience which illustrates this. 阿尔弗莱德 - 阿德勒是一位著名的医生，他有过可以说明这点的经历。 来自中级百科部分

2 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

3 safaris   

n.游猎，陆路旅行（尤指在东非或中非）( safari的名词复数 )；类似游猎的假日旅行

参考例句：

• I've had too many safaris with rich dentists to listen to any more suicidal ideas. 我已经带过太多有钱牙科医生的狩猎队，我不能再听取任何自杀性建议了。 来自电影对白
• Camel diving safaris are a popular attraction in South Sinai. 骆驼的潜水之旅是南西奈一个受欢迎的景观。 来自互联网

4 niche   

n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等)

参考例句：

• Madeleine placed it carefully in the rocky niche. 玛德琳小心翼翼地把它放在岩石壁龛里。
• The really talented among women would always make their own niche.妇女中真正有才能的人总是各得其所。

5 alongside   

adv.在旁边；prep.和...在一起，在...旁边

参考例句：

• There was a butcher's shop alongside the theatre.剧院旁边有一家肉店。
• Alongside of him stood his uncle.他的身旁站着他叔叔。

6 terrain   

n.地面，地形，地图

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• He knows the terrain of this locality like the back of his hand.他对这一带的地形了如指掌。

7 inhabited   

adj. 有人居住的 动词inhabit的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• The island is no longer inhabited. 这个岛已经没有人居住了。
• Nomads have inhabited this region for thousands of years. 游牧民族在这地区居住已有数千年了。

8 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。

9 chilling   

a.使人寒心的；使人恐惧的

参考例句：

• The film evokes chilling reminders of the war. 这部电影使人们回忆起战争的可怕场景。
• Their report on the plans for nuclear war is a chilling document. 他们关于核战争的那份报告是很令人恐怖的文件。

10 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

11 outweigh   

vt.比...更重，...更重要

参考例句：

• The merits of your plan outweigh the defects.你制定的计划其优点胜过缺点。
• One's merits outweigh one's short-comings.功大于过。