COLEGIO COOPERATIVO ANTONIO VILLAVICENCIO

LENGUA
READING WORKSHOP
EXTRANJERA – INGLÉS 10º
Name: ________________________________________________________ Date: ___________________

IS THIS THE TOUGHEST RACE IN THE WORLD?

Most people know about marathons. They are very tough races in which runners cover 26.2 miles. But did you know that, for some
people, running a marathon is not enough? These people are called ultrarunners. They run long races across deserts or up and down
mountains. They are incredibly fit.

One of the toughest ultrarunning events in the world happens every year in
Antarctica. It is the Antarctic 100k Ultra Race. Usually, only about twenty of the best
ultrarunners in the world compete. They run the 62.1 miles of the race on snow and
ice in temperatures of -20ºC. The fastest runner finishes the race in about eleven
hours, but some don’t finish the race at all. Some runners find they cannot continue
and have to stop.

Preparation is very important for running in these extreme conditions. Poor or

unsuitable training can be dangerous for the athletes’ health. We asked ultrarunner
Colin Shepard to tell us more about the race.

XSP Magazine: Why do people run this race, Colin?

Colin: There are lots of reasons. For me personally, running in cold weather is always
a fantastic feeling. All exercise increases our endorphins–the feel-good hormones–
but because your body works harder in the cold, you produce more endorphins and
so you feel happier. You also run in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

XSP: How do you train for a race like this?

Colin: I run all year. Usually, I run thirty miles four times a week. I work out in the
gym on the other days. I also run on sand sometimes, because that’s similar to
running on
snow. Mental preparation is important too. You’re alone for most of the race. You need to forget about headaches and backaches
and sore feet and just run.

XSP: Do you need special equipment?

Colin: It’s very cold, obviously, so you wear ski goggles and a face mask that warms
the air before you breathe it in–plus a hat and gloves, of course. It’s also very
windy, so you need two warm layers of clothes and then wind- and water-
resistant pants and a jacket. Most runners wear bigger running shoes than usual,
with two pairs of socks.

XSP: Do you eat and drink during the race?

Colin: Yes, that’s important. Before the race, I eat a lot of pasta, rice, and fruit
cake. That gives me energy. Then, during the race, I drink special liquids with
added salts. You sweat a lot, even in freezing temperatures.

XSP: Doesn’t your drinking water freeze?

Colin: Yes, that’s a problem. In the Antarctic, you carry it under your clothes to prevent it from freezing.

XSP: That’s a good idea. Do you have any other advice?

Colin: Runners often say, “Walk before you need to walk, eat before you need to eat, and drink before you need to drink.” In other
words, don’t wait until it’s too late. I think that’s good advice.

1. Mark the topics the interviewer asks Colin about.

a. Food and drink during the race. _______
b. Special equipment for the race. _______
c. How to prepare for the race. _______
d. His age. _______
e. The dangers of the race. _______
f. His running experience. _______
g. The reasons why people run the Ultra race. _______

2. Write the words to their corresponding definitions.

a. Tough _______ a competition to see who can run the fastest
b. Fit _______ without other people
c. Race _______ in good physical condition
d. Alone _______ to become bigger in size or number
e. Goggles _______ to lose water through the skin
f. Sweat _______ special glasses that protect the eyes and part of the face.
g. Increase _______ very difficult.

3. Mark T for True or F for False.

a. Ultrarunning events are longer than marathons. _______
b. Colin enjoys looking at the scenery when he runs the Antarctic 100k Ultra Race. _______
c. More than 100 people compete in the Antarctic 100k Ultra Race. _______
d. Colin runs on sand because it is not like running on snow. _______
e. In the Antarctic 100k Ultra Race, it is usually too cold to sweat. _______
f. Colin’s advice is to do things before they become necessary. _______

4. Select the correct option.

 The Antarctic 100K Ultra Race takes  When he is training, Colin runs for place in… about…
a. A stadium. a. 120 miles a week.
b. A city. b. 150 miles a week.
c. A natural location. c. 100 miles a week.

 The winner of the race runs for…  Runners wear face masks because…
a. More than ten hours. a. They are part of their goggles.
b. Six hours. b. They keep their mouths and noses
c. Eight hours. warm.
c. The air is very cold.
 When your brain produces more
endorphins, you feel…  Runners eat a lot before the race a. Sadder than usual. because food…
b. Happier than usual. a. Gives them energy.
c. More tired than usual. b. Stops them sweating.
c. Freezes during the race.