Take Away English-London Marathon 伦敦马拉松
时间：2019-01-02 作者：英语课 分类：Take Away English
It's a long way to the finish line
This weekend, around 35,000 runners filled the streets of London, running the 26th annual London Marathon. The course is 26.2 miles long (42 km), and goes past many of London’s landmarks 1, such as the Tower of London, the famous 19th century ship Cutty Sark, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. The runners actually run over Tower Bridge.
Among the elite 2 athletes running, Britain’s Paula Radcliffe was unable to defend her title from last year’s race due to an injury. The women’s race was won by American Deena Kastor in 2 hours 19 minutes, and Felix Limo from Kenya won the men’s race in 2 hours 6 minutes.
However, Britain still made a good showing, as British woman Mara Yamauchi came in sixth, whilst in the wheelchair marathon, Britain’s athletes excelled. Shelly Woods came second in the women’s race, and David Weir 3 not only won the men’s race for the second time, but also set a new record of 1hour 29 minutes.
But in the London Marathon, everyone who finishes is a winner – for many thousands of people their goal was merely to complete the race and gain their finisher’s medal. The oldest competitor was 88 years old and the youngest just 18. About 80% of the ‘fun runners’ – those not competing professionally – were running the race to raise money for their chosen charity, and it is estimated that this year good causes will receive more than £35 million.
Some of the athletes ran or walked in fancy dress, ranging from monkey suits to fairies, clowns and superheroes. One couple chose to get married half-way round the race, and ran in traditional wedding attire 4 – a full length white dress for the bride, and for the groom 5, a top hat and tails.
The event is very popular with spectators, and around 400,000 people braved London’s drizzle 6 in order to cheer on the runners and give them encouragement by cheering, waving flags and balloons and blowing whistles.
A challenging but fulfilling day for the runners, and an inspiring and exciting event for spectators too.
GLOSSARY 词汇表
annual
年度的；每年一次的
to defend her title
卫冕
came in
进入
goal
目标
good causes
公益事业
superheroes
超级英雄
bride
新娘
top hat and tails
礼帽和燕尾服
drizzle
蒙蒙细雨
challenging
具有挑战性的
elite athletes
精英田径运动员
a good showing
成绩尚佳
excelled
优胜
raise money
募捐
fancy dress
奇装异服
attire
服裝, 服饰
groom
新郎
braved
勇敢（冒雨）
to cheer on
助威
fulfilling
充实的
- The book stands out as one of the notable landmarks in the progress of modern science. 这部著作是现代科学发展史上著名的里程碑之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- The baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship. 孩子的出世是我们俩关系中的一个重要转折点。 来自辞典例句
- The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
- We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。
- The discharge from the weir opening should be free.从堰开口处的泻水应畅通。
- Big Weir River,restraining tears,has departed!大堰河，含泪地去了！
- He had no intention of changing his mode of attire.他无意改变着装方式。
- Her attention was attracted by his peculiar attire.他那奇特的服装引起了她的注意。
- His father was a groom.他父亲曾是个马夫。
- George was already being groomed for the top job.为承担这份高级工作，乔治已在接受专门的培训。