The Boston Marathon is one of the world's most famous races.  

The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon.

 It takes place every year in the Boston area.

 It is always held on the 3rd Monday in April.

The Boston Marathon was first started in 1897 by the Boston Athletic Association.

 To complete the race, one must run a distance of 26 miles and 385 yards.

 

 It is now one of Boston's biggest events.

 Starting with only 18 people in 1897, the event now brings more than half a million fans each year to the race.

More than twenty thousand people also run in the marathon each year.

 

Anyone who qualifies can run in the Boston Marathon.

In fact, runners from all over the world come to Boston each year to compete.

A runner must be over the age of 18 and have completed a marathon before.

 Many different kinds of people compete in this race.

For example, people who use wheelchairs or have other disabilities participate and can also win prizes.

 

It is not easy to run a marathon.

Yet the Boston Marathon is one of the hardest.

There are many hills to run through.

 Also, Boston can be cold and rainy in April.

 Runners must complete the 26-mile race, no matter the terrain and weather.

 

Families come to support runners.

 People of all ages enjoy being a part of this famous race, and celebrating with the winners.

The winners are awarded large prizes.

The first man and woman to complete the race receive $100,000.

There are also prizes for 2nd and 3rd place, and for winners with disabilities.

 

This year, the Boston Marathon started out as a happy event as usual.

 However, it tragically turned into a terrible event.

 Towards the end of the race, this year, two bombs exploded near a crowd of spectators.

 Two Americans and a Chinese woman died in the explosions.

Among those killed was an eight-year old boy named Martin Richard.

 More than 150 people were also injured.

 

 People are not sure how or why this happened.

Everyone is looking for answers.

 

Americans are believed to be unusually optimistic.

One can expect Bostonians and Americans to remain committed to maintaining the tradition of this famous marathon.

And who knows? It may be that next year will bring more runners than ever before.

 

Now that you have read tell me

 

1.       Have you ever run in a race?

2.   What is a marathon?

3.       Why is the Boston Marathon so popular?

4.   When did it start?

5.       How was this year's marathon different from marathons in past years?

6.   How optimistc are the americans?

7.       After what happened this year in Boston, would you run next year if you could? Why or why not?

8.   How will the Boston Marathon be different next year than this year?