Why do people run marathons?

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

To wonder how/ what/ when etc.

However

Therefore

To be grateful (for something/ to someone)

Due to

To harm (someone/ something)

To be capable (of doing something) 

Challenging

Despite

As a result (of something)

To take up (something)

To come a long way

Appeal/ To appeal (to someone)

To outweigh

To firmly believe something

To stem from something

To tick (something) off

Gruelling

To draw parallels (between X and Y)

To unveil (something)

Sheer

To underpin

To dwarf (something)

Akin to

Etched

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1. What are some of the main reasons why people run marathons?

2. What motivates Matt Huff, Tom Eller and Kailey Bennet to run marathons?

3. What exactly is going on in the brain for marathon runners?

4. Do men and women have the same motivations for running a marathon?

5. ‘Running a marathon is something I would like to tick off my bucket list.’ Is this true for you?

6. ‘I don’t know anyone who has run a marathon.’ Is this true for you?

7. ‘I love setting myself big challenges and then trying to complete them.’ Is this true for you?

8. ‘I use exercise to tackle stress.’ Is this true for you?

9. ‘I can’t understand why some people are fans of particular sports teams.’ Is this true for you?

10. ‘Girls are less interested in sport than boys.’ Do you agree?

11. ‘Parents should ban computer games so that their children play more sport.’ Do you agree?

12. ‘Children should be taught that winning is important.’ Do you agree?

13. ‘I used to hate PE lessons when I was a child.’ Is this true for you?

14. ‘Some people are too obsessed with exercise and the way they look.’ Do you agree?

15. ‘Watching sport is boring.’ Do you agree?