39-Year-Old Runner Returns to Race in Japan's Hakone Qualifier
Listen to the story
A 39-year-old man named Saki Makino ran in a big race in Japan.
The race is called the Hakone Ekiden qualifying race. It is a famous relay race for universities.
Makino studies at Saitama University. He is much older than most runners in the race.
Before this, Makino left a strong running team. He quit the team many years ago.
Now Makino has a busy life. He runs 20 kilometers at 6 in the morning.
After running, he works during the day. At night, he goes to university classes.
Many people think his story is special. He is not like other young runners.
The Hakone Ekiden is very popular in Japan. Many people watch it every year.
Teams must run in a qualifying race first. Only the best teams can join the main race.
Makino's story shows hard work and love for running.
Vocabulary7 words
- Hakone Ekiden
- a famous long relay race for university runners in Japan
- Saitama University
- a school in Japan where Makino studies
- quit
- to stop doing something, like leaving a team
- university
- a school for older students after high school
- qualifying race
- a race that decides who can join a bigger race
- relay race
- a race where team members run one after another
- runner
- a person who runs, often in races
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Quiz
Answer key
1. 39 2. He runs 20 kilometers 3. A university relay race
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A 39-year-old man named Saki Makino ran in a big _____ in Japan.
The race is called the Hakone Ekiden _____ race. It is a famous relay race for universities.
Makino _____ at Saitama University. He is much older than most runners in the race.
Before this, Makino left a strong running team. He _____ the team many years ago.
Now Makino has a busy life. He runs 20 _____ at 6 in the morning.
After running, he _____ during the day. At night, he goes to university classes.
Many people think his story is _____. He is not like other young runners.
The Hakone Ekiden is very _____ in Japan. Many people watch it every year.
Teams must run in a qualifying race first. Only the best teams can join the _____ race.
Makino's story shows hard work and _____ for running.
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