Trang: What are you reading, Paul?
Paul: The history of Boston Marathon.
Trang: It sounds interesting! How often is it held?
Paul: Every year, in the USA.
Trang: When did it begin?
Paul: In 1897. And the same year, John McDermott won the first Boston Athletic Association Marathon.
Trang: Who was John McDermott? Where did he come from?
Paul: He was the first man who won the first Boston Marathon in the USA. Ha came from New York.
Trang: How long did it take him to reach the finish?
Paul: He clocked 2 hours 50 minutes and 10 seconds.
Trang: Did women have right to participate in long distance running?
Paul: Yes ... But not until 1967, women were formally accepted to take part in the Boston races... A few years later, Kuscsik became the first official female champion.
Trang: When did she win the race?
Paul: In 2972. There were 8 women starting the race and all 8 finished.
Trang: Is the race held for only American people?
Paul: No. Each year, more runners from every part of the world join it. In 1984, 6164 runners from 34 countries ran in the marathon.
Trang: What are the rules of the Boston Marathon?
Paul: The Boston race is about 42 km. Runners have to go through 13 towns during the race. It ends in the centre of Boston.
Trang: Oh, that’s great. Thanks a lot, Paul.