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| It's a long way to the finish line |
Among the elite 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 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 – a full length white dress for the bride, and for the groom , a top hat and tails.
The event is very popular with spectators, and around 400,000 people braved London’s drizzle 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 elite athletes 精英田径运动员
to defend her title 卫冕
a good showing 成绩尚佳
came in 进入 excelled 优胜
goal 目标 raise money 募捐
good causes 公益事业 fancy dress 奇装异服
superheroes 超级英雄 attire;服裝, 服饰
bride 新娘
groom 新郎;
top hat and tails 礼帽和燕尾服 braved 勇敢（冒雨）
drizzle 蒙蒙细雨 to cheer on 助威
challenging 具有挑战性的 fulfilling 充实的
