Page 52 - Reading Success B4

Running is a favorite pastime and sport for many people throughout the world.
Many men and women spend much time exercising by running. Some are also

preparing themselves for long-distance endurance footraces, called marathons. A
marathon race is one of the most grueling and competitive track and field

events. The standard distance for a marathon race is 26 miles and 385 yards
(41.992 km). It usually starts and ends on a stadium track with most of the running

done along a marked course on city streets or country roads.
The marathon race derived its name from Marathon, Greece, where the Greeks

defeated the Persians in a famous battle in 490 B.C. Pheidippides, a Greek
messenger, ran almost 26 miles from Marathon to Athens with news of the victory.

The marathon is one of the major events of the Olympic Games. The marathon
courses around the world are different and there is no official world record time.

However, the fastest marathon runners cover the distance in less than 2 hours
and 9 minutes.

The most famous long distance race is the Boston Marathon, which was first
held in 1897. Another well known annual footrace is the New York Marathon.

Main Idea

What is the main idea of this story?

a. the origins of marathon races

b. how people train for marathons
c. some well known marathons

d. what a marathon is

54_Reading Success B 4