7th grade. Unit 5. Lesson 10. Culture corner: London marathon

 

Read some facts about the London marathon. How old is the London Marathon?

1. A marathon is an annual sporting event where an athlete must run 42.195 kilometres.

2. The idea of the modern Marathon is taken from the story of a soldier who ran from Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to bring the news that the Persians lost the battle. The Athenians sent their best runner, a man named Pheidippides back to Athens to tell everyone the good news. He ran about 25 miles and fell dead when he arrived.

3. The London marathon is run around the River Thames.

4. For years runners have worn crazy race costumes – from cans of baked beans to a rhinoceros.

5. Since the first marathon in 1981, participants have raised more than £1bln and donated it to different charities.

Listen to Elly Brown, who took part in the London Marathon. Did she finish the marathon? How does she feel?