English Essay by Brian Southwick, Niigata City ALT

60 The Niigata City Marathon ＲＥＡＤＩＮＧ (slow) (fast)

I recently took part in my first marathon, the Niigata City Marathon, and in this essay I’ll tell you about the experience. First, I’ll talk a little about the history of the race.

Marathon is the name of a place in Greece about 40 kilometers from Athens, the capital. In the year 490 B.C. the army of Athens fought an important battle against the army of Persia at Marathon. Persia was much stronger than Athens and expected to win the fight, but the army of Athens won the battle. Afterwards the best runner was sent to the city to tell the people the good news. The runner ran all the way back to Athens without stopping. This was the first marathon. Now I’ll tell you about my own first marathon.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ＲＥＡＤＩＮＧ (slow) (fast)

The morning of Sunday, October 9, was sunny and cool. I left home at 7:30 and walked to the city track and field stadium, which is the starting point of the race. When I got there, the stadium was already very crowded with runners. I went to the back of the long line and waited for the start. At 8:30 the marathon began.

For the first half of the race I had no problems with my physical condition. I reached the 21 km checkpoint after 1 hour and 45 minutes, and I felt strong as I started the second half of the course. But when I reached the 30 km checkpoint, I began to feel pain in my legs.

The pain quickly became worse. Although I was encouraged by the many supporters and volunteers along the way who shouted, “Don’t give up. Do your best,” I began to think about walking. I also thought about quitting. I imagined being attacked by a dangerous dog or snake. Then I would have a good excuse for retiring. But nothing happened.

I finished the marathon in a time of 3 hours and 43 minutes, after walking for much of the final 10 km. As I sat outside the track and field stadium having sports drink and bananas, I told myself that I was glad I ran the marathon. I also told myself that I would never run another. But now I am already looking forward to next year’s event.

＜注＞
recently（最近），took part in（参加した），experience（経験），Greece（ギリシャ）
Athens（アテネ），capital（首都），army（軍隊）
an important battle against（〜に対する重要な戦い），Persia（ペルシャ）
expected to win（勝つことを期待した），Afterwards（後に，後で），all the way（ずっと）
track and field stadium（陸上競技場），physical condition（体の調子），as（〜のように）
pain（痛み），worse（一層悪い），Although（〜だけれども），was encouraged（元気づけられた）
supporters（応援の人たち，サポーター），quitting（止めること），imagined（想像した）
being attacked（襲われること），have a good excuse（よい言い訳をする），retiring（止めること）
am already looking forward to（もうすでに楽しみにしている）





Questions and Answers: Answer the questions in a complete sentence in English.


Q1. How did the people in Athens hear the news about the battle at Marathon?
A1.

Q2. Where did the Niigata City Marathon start?
A2.

Q3. What was Brian’s time at the 21 km checkpoint?
A3.

Q4. Why did Brian imagine being attacked by a dog or snake?
A4.

Q5. Does Brian want to run in another marathon?
A5.




＜解答例＞

A1. The best runner was sent to the city to tell them the good news.

A2. It started at the city track and field stadium.

A3. It was 1 hour and 45 minutes.

A4. Because he began to feel pain in his legs.

A5. Yes, he does.