One of the most important events in the modern Olympic games is the Marathon race. The reface 1 one of the great events in Greek history.
In 490 BCabout 10,000 Greeks fought 2 the Persian away at a place 3 Marathon. It is said that the Persians were ten times as 4 as the Greeks. But, 5 the brave attack of the Greeks, the Persians were badly beaten and 6 away from the plain of Marathon. When the Persians had run away, a soldier, 7 as the most famous 8 in Athens, 9 to carry the good news to the city 10 full speed.
Although he had fought through the battle and received many wounds, the soldier at once started off towards the 11 city. It was twenty-six and a quarter miles 12 the plain of Marathon to the Marketplace of Athens, 13 the elders of Athens had gathered 14 for news. He ran and ran 15 hills and across plains. As he went on , his lips became dry and his breathing hard. But he thought of the 16 of the people of Athens 17 hearing the news, and he ran harder than ever.
The elders of Athens heard a great shout and saw a soldier staggering(蹒跚)toward them. “Rejoice! Rejoice! We won!” gasped the soldier, and fell down 18 .
In 19 of this noble soldier and athlete we have in the modern Olympic Games the Marathon race, 20 the athletes run this same distance.