Japanese Runners Aim for First Marathon Gold in 8 Years
Listen to the story
Two runners from Japan ran in a big men's marathon race. Their names are Yuya Yoshida and Kazuki Yamashita. Japan has not won gold in this race for eight years. Many fans hoped for a win this time.
The race started early on Saturday. A TV company called TBS showed the race live. People watching were surprised by the scene. Some said, "Wow, this looks so special!" Others said it felt "fresh" and "premium".
The leading group of men runners passed the halfway point in 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 54 seconds. Yamashita was in this group. But Yoshida became slower near the 17-kilometer mark.
In the women's race, the leader passed 10 kilometers in 36 minutes and 42 seconds. Fans watched both races closely. Everyone wanted to see who would win.
Vocabulary5 words
- marathon
- a very long running race
- premium
- special and high quality
- halfway point
- the middle of a race
- leading group
- the runners who are in front
- live
- happening now, shown on TV at the same time
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. 8 years 2. He became slower 3. True
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Two runners from Japan ran in a big men's _____ race.
Their names are Yuya Yoshida and Kazuki _____.
Japan has not won gold in this race for _____ years.
The race started early on _____.
A TV company called TBS showed the race _____.
Some said, "Wow, this looks so special!" Others said it felt "fresh" and "_____".
The leading group of men runners passed the halfway point in 1 hour, 5 minutes, and _____ seconds.
But Yoshida became _____ near the 17-kilometer mark.
In the women's race, the leader passed 10 kilometers in 36 minutes and _____ seconds.
🎓 Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.
