An unusual marathon took place at the North Pole. Runners traveled there on a French ship from Norway. They raced on a 1,055-meter loop on the drifting sea ice. Runners dressed in thermal gear and life vests for safety. Twenty-three marathoners from seven different countries joined the race. Armed guards watched for polar bears during the race. Denmark's Rikke Dam won the women's marathon, finishing in 6 hours and 54 minutes. China's Wang Shengxian took the men's title, completing his race in 3 hours and 52 minutes. The race course vanished when the ice melted shortly after the event. Despite that, the runners completed their challenge. Organizers call it the "world's coolest marathon". This event showed the unique conditions at the North Pole.
Original news source: Marathon runners compete on drifting sea ice at North Pole – BBC News (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
1. Have you ever participated in a race or marathon? Share your experiences.
2. What do you know about the North Pole?
3. What kind of clothes do you think people need in very cold places?
4. Why do you think people run marathons?
5. How do you prepare for a big challenge or event in your life?
π€ Comprehension Questions:
The marathon took place at the North Pole.
They traveled on a French ship from Norway.
Runners wore thermal gear and life vests.
Runners from seven different countries took part.
Rikke Dam from Denmark won, finishing in 6 hours and 54 minutes.
The race course vanished when the ice melted shortly after the event.
Organizers called it the "world's coolest marathon".
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
An unusual marathon took place at the North Pole. there on a French ship from Norway. They raced on a 1,055-meter on the drifting sea ice. Runners dressed in thermal gear and life vests for safety. marathoners from seven different countries joined the race. guards watched for polar during the race. Denmark's Rikke Dam won the , finishing in 6 hours and 54 minutes. China's Wang Shengxian took the men's title, completing his race in 3 hours and 52 minutes. The race vanished when the ice melted shortly after the event. Despite that, the completed their . Organizers call it the " coolest marathon". This event showed the unique conditions at the North Pole.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think you would like to run in such an unusual marathon? Why or why not?
2. What challenges might runners face at the North Pole compared to a regular marathon?
3. Why do you think people enjoy running marathons?
4. What safety measures do you think are important for events like this?
5. How do you feel about running in extreme locations?
6. What other kinds of unusual sports events can you think of?
7. Do you prefer watching or participating in sports? Why?
8. How does the melting ice at the North Pole affect the world?
9. What can be done to protect polar regions?
10. Which country's runner won the men's marathon? Do you think country matters in sports?
11. How do you feel about the idea of a "world's coolest marathon"? Is it a good description?
12. If you could organize an unusual race, what would it be like?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
