【明報專訊】On 16 January 2016, a two-and-a-half-year-old bloodhound appeared in the Elkmont's (埃爾克蒙特) Trackless Train Trek Half Marathon. It ran the entire race and came out seventh. The dog, called Ludivine, and April Hamlin, its owner, live near the starting line of the half marathon in Alabama, the US (美國阿拉巴馬州).

Ludivine was brought out by her owner to relax when it went to run the half marathon, which was 13.1 miles long. It finished the race in 1 hour, 32 minutes and 56 seconds. It crossed the finishing line in seventh place and was awarded a medal. April knew nothing about it until race volunteers texted her and sent her pictures of her dog wearing the medal. She was embarrassed and worried that her dog might have caused other runners trouble by getting in their way.

Some runners spotted Ludivine spent some time checking over a dead rabbit. According to Jim Clemens, a runner in the event, the dog was easily distracted during the run but it would eventually come back up to run in the race.

(source: Ming Pao, Metro, CNN, Elkmont Half Marathon - The Trackless Train Trek Facebook page)

■Photo story

Ludivine joined the half marathon while it was having a walk outside its home. It was awarded a medal after the race.

■Words

bloodhound 獵犬

half marathon 半馬拉松

■Quiz

Choose the correct answers.

(answers on next text)

1. What was Ludivine doing before it went to the half marathon?

a. relieving outside the house

b. investigating on wild animals

c. staying at home with its owner

2. When did April Hamlin become aware of her dog's participation in the half marathon?

a. In the middle of the race

b. When other runners told her

c. When the race volunteers texted her

3. When a person gets in the way of another,

a. he/she runs after the other

b. he/she offers the other a way

c. he/she blocks the other's way

4. According to Jim Clemens and other runners' description, the dog was _________ the environment during the half marathon.

a. curious about

b. bored with

c. fearful of

■Glossary

finishing line (n phr) 終點線

medal (n) 獎牌

embarrassed (adj) 尷尬的

distract (v) 使……分心