THIS IS AMERICA - Marathons

THIS IS AMERICA - Marathons
By Jerilyn Watson

Broadcast: Monday, April 12, 2004

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

Welcome to THIS IS AMERICA, in VOA Special English. I'm Phoebe Zimmermann.

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Steve Ember. Today, we report about marathon races and the popularity¹ of running in the United States.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

Forty-two kilometers is a long way to run without stopping. But twenty-thousand competitors with a lot of energy will try to do that next Monday, April nineteenth. These people will take part in the one-hundred-eighth Boston Marathon in Massachusetts. The race is the oldest marathon in the world held each year.

Men and women over age eighteen run in the marathon. Some competitors are much older than eighteen. Some runners are seventy and older. But most of the runners are younger than forty.

VOICE TWO:

 
Catherine Ndereba 
Winners of past Boston Marathons will race again this year. Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya is defending his first-place finish last year. Catherine Ndereba of Kenya has won the Boston race two times. They are among many serious competitors in the two-thousand-four marathon. Winners will share five-hundred-twenty-five-thousand dollars in prize money given by companies and organizations.

VOICE ONE:

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 TWO:

The runners will begin this year's Boston Marathon at mid⁵ day 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.

People will provide liquids for the runners at twenty-four places along the way. If anyone gets hurt or sick, medical workers at twenty-six American Red Cross stations can provide medical help. As usual, 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."

VOICE ONE:

Before the marathon begins, a computer chip device⁶ is attached to each runner's shoe. It electronically records how long the runner takes to complete the race. Timing⁷ 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 several areas along the race. And it records the runner's final time when crossing the finish line.

Last year, Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot ran his winning race in two hours, ten minutes and eleven seconds. The women's winner, Svetlana Zakharova, finished in two hours, twenty-five minutes and twenty seconds.

VOICE TWO:

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 users⁸ of wheelchairs in nineteen-seventy-five.

Last year, South African competitor Ernst VanDyk won the wheelchair race. He finished in one hour, twenty-eight minutes and thirty-two seconds. Mister⁹ VanDyk also won the wheelchair race in two-thousand-one and two-thousand-two.

Christina Ripp of the United States won the women's wheelchair event last year. She finished the race in one hour, fifty-four minutes and forty-seven seconds.

VOICE ONE:

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.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

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 invaded¹¹ Greece. Greece's army defeated the invading¹² 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 ONE:

 
2003 Marine¹³ Corps¹⁴ Marathon
Many American cities in addition to Boston hold marathons. For example, the United States Marine Corps Marathon will take place October thirty-first in Washington, D. C. and the state of Virginia.

The city of Chicago, Illinois also will hold its two-thousand-four 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 some of the largest prizes among American marathons. It will give six-hundred-fifty-thousand dollars in prize money.

New York City will hold its marathon in November. This race 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 run in New York City marathons.

VOICE TWO:

Not all marathons are so successful. More than six-thousand people ran in the first Washington D.C. Marathon in March, two-thousand-two. Some said they enjoyed the race more than any other. The runners passed by some of the city's most famous monuments, including the United States Capitol. But last year the race was cancelled. The organizers blamed security¹⁵ concerns because the war in Iraq was soon to start. The marathon was cancelled again this year. However, that did not stop hundreds of people from racing¹⁶. They ran the "unofficial" marathon on the day the official race was to have taken place.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

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 say you should wear a good pair of running shoes to protect your feet. The manufacture¹⁷ of running shoes has become a huge industry.

VOICE TWO:

People run for different reasons. Most say running makes them feel better physically¹⁸. It prevents them from gaining weight. It provides needed exercise to help prevent some diseases²⁰. Many people also say running makes them feel better mentally. It makes them feel happier. Some say they forget their worries when they run.

Many people also run to help others. For example, Ed Burt of Hopedale, Massachusetts ran in the Boston Marathon last year to help the American Liver²¹ Foundation²². This deeply pleased his father, who was suffering from liver disease¹⁹. This year, Ed Burt already has raised more than two-thousand dollars in the Liver Foundation's Run for Research campaign. He will take part in the marathon this year in memory of his father.

VOICE ONE:

Sports experts 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.

But many marathon runners say it is exciting to cross the finish line. "You feel terribly tired," says a runner from Encino, California. "At the same time, you feel just wonderful."

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

This program was written by Shelley Gollust and Jerilyn Watson. It was produced by Caty Weaver²³. I'm Steve Ember.

VOICE ONE :

And I'm Phoebe Zimmermann. Join us again next week for THIS IS AMERICA in Special English on the Voice of America.

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 mid   

adj.中央的，中间的

参考例句：

• Our mid-term exam is pending.我们就要期中考试了。
• He switched over to teaching in mid-career.他在而立之年转入教学工作。

6 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。

7 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。

8 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。

9 mister   

n.(略作Mr.全称很少用于书面)先生

参考例句：

• Mister Smith is my good friend.史密斯先生是我的好朋友。
• He styled himself " Mister Clean ".他自称是“清廉先生”。

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 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》

12 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》

13 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。

14 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• 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 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。

16 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

17 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。

18 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。

19 disease   

n.疾病，弊端

参考例句：

• The doctors are trying to stamp out the disease.医生正在尽力消灭这种疾病。
• He fought against the disease for a long time.他同疾病做了长时间的斗争。

20 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。

21 liver   

n.肝；肝脏

参考例句：

• He has a weak liver.他的肝脏不好。
• The largest organ in the body is the liver.人体最大的器官是肝脏。

22 foundation   

n.[pl.]地基；基础；基金会；建立，创办

参考例句：

• The foundation of the university took place 600 years ago.这所大学是600年前创办的。
• The Foundation gives money to help artists.那家基金会捐款帮助艺术家。

23 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。