​Much More Than a Marathon | 想挑战自我，欢迎来参加超级马拉松

Much More Than a Marathon想挑战自我，欢迎来参加超级马拉松

by Timothy Laird

Do you have what it takes to run more than 42.195 kilometers?你有能耐跑完比 42.195 公里更长的路程吗？

Marathons used to be the longest running events in track-and-field competitions, but nowadays, that title has been taken over by ultramarathons. This extremely _(1)_ sport is not for the faint-hearted, though. It takes determination, perseverance, and a lot more to finish such races. _(2)_ definition, ultramarathons refer to those footraces that are more than the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers. The most common ultramarathon distances are 50 and 100 kilometers or 50 and 100 miles.There are two types of ultramarathons. The first one includes a fixed distance, _(3)_ the first runner to reach the finish line wins. The second sets an allotted period of time, such as 24 hours, 48 hours, or six days. The person that _(4)_ the most overall distance within that time frame wins the race. Ultramarathons can _(5)_ on tracks, trails, or roads, so runners are likely to face rough terrain like mountain paths, snow-covered trails, or even desert sand. _(6)_, ultramarathons can push even the most experienced marathoners to the brink of exhaustion.Finishing an ultramarathon may sound difficult, but the rules don't actually require the runners to run the whole time. In fact, if the event is particularly long, the runners are allowed to eat, drink, or even sleep _(7)_ they feel the need. If regular marathons aren't challenging enough anymore, then ultramarathons may just be what you need to get excited about running again.

1.  (A) clumsy(B) sensitive(C) demanding(D) relaxed

2(A) In(B) With(C) From(D) By

3.  (A) what(B) in which(C) how(D) in that

4.  (A) wraps(B) folds(C) covers(D) attaches

5.  (A) take place(B) take turns(C) break out(D) stand out

6.  (A) In contrast(B) As a result(C) Even so(D) By the way

7.  (A) whenever(B) whether(C) until(D) unless

      马拉松曾是田径比赛中距离最长的赛跑项目，但现今，这个头衔已被超级马拉松取而代之。不过这个极度苛求体能的运动并不适合心智不够坚强的人。要跑完这种赛程需要决心、毅力和许多其他条件。根据定义，超级马拉松指的是路程超过标准马拉松距离――42.195公里――的赛跑。最普遍的超级马拉松路程距离为 50和 100 公里或英里。

　　超级马拉松分为两种。第一种包含固定的距离，在这段距离内最先抵达终点的跑者赢得比赛。第二种则是指定时间，例如 24 小时、48 小时或 6 天。在这时间范围内完成最多里程距离的跑者就是冠军。超级马拉松可能在跑道、小径或是马路上进行，因此跑者很可能会遭遇险峻的地形，像是山路、被雪覆盖的小径或甚至是沙漠。因此，超级马拉松能把即使是经验最丰富的马拉松选手逼到体能的极限。

　完成超级马拉松听起来或许相当困难，但比赛规则其实并没有要求选手全程都要一直跑步。事实上，如果比赛距离特别长，跑者被允许在任何有需要的时候进食、喝水或甚至睡觉。如果一般的马拉松对你来说已经不具有挑战性，那么或许超级马拉松会让你重燃对跑步的热忱。

答案：1. (C)2. (D)3. (B)4. (C)5. (A)6. (B)7. (A)

For Your Information

据说马拉松是源于公元前 490 年，希腊联军在马拉松战役（Battle of Marathon）中击败入侵的波斯军队，取得希波战争的决定性胜利。传说希腊士兵费迪皮迪兹带伤从马拉松跑回雅典宣布胜利后力竭而死。而根据历史学家希罗多德的记录，雅典曾派传令兵费迪皮迪兹从雅典到斯巴达请求援助，再跑回雅典，据说费迪皮迪兹在 36 小时内完成各 240 公里的往返路程。

而之后身为英国皇家空军中校约翰‧佛登为证实人类能在 36 时内完成近 500 公里的跑程，他在 1982 年和 4 位同僚从雅典出发，36小时之后他抵达了斯巴达城里狮子王雕像前，用亲身体验的方式考证了这一段古希腊的历史故事。来年，从雅典到斯巴达城的『斯巴达斯松』（Spartathlon）这项具有神话色彩的长跑赛事于焉诞生，每年都吸引来自各国的长跑选手共襄盛举。