【明報專訊】In Hong Kong, many people like jogging or running along the seaside promenade at night. You can also find big and small running events held in the city throughout the year. There were more than 70 thousand people joining the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in 2018. What's so attractive about running?

Running is undoubtedly a sport with many benefits. It is good for both the body and the mind, and it helps reduce the risks of overweight and some illnesses. While it is relaxing to run alone, it may be even more rewarding to run with your family or friends. Running is also a social activity which offers you opportunities to make new friends and broaden your social circle.

People have been more keen on joining amateur running competitions in recent years, but they should always be aware of their own physical fitness and health conditions. Static stretching exercises before running are essential to the prevention of injuries. Running is good for children, but they are not encouraged to start long distance training or excessive special training when they are too young.

(sources: Ming Pao, www.lcsd.gov.hk)

■English highway﹕Broaden

"Broaden" is to increase something such as your knowledge, experience, or range of activities.

e.g. My brother would like to study abroad to broaden his horizons.

■Game

The Smarties have carelessly dropped their running accessories along the running track. Can you help find them back?

“ MoMo: Who's taken my small-sized waist bag? ”

“ Pat: I've dropped my pink water bottle! I've drunk up all the water. ”

“ Bill: My sports watch's missing! It's in green. ”

■Quiz

1. Find a word in the passage which has the opposite meaning to "optional".

___________________________________________

2. Which of the following is/are the benefits of running? ( You may choose more than one answer.)

a) make new friends 　　

b) get injured

c) reduce the risk of getting ill

d) good for the mind

3. It is good for children to start long distance training at a young age.

True/False

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

rewarding (adj) 有益的

amateur (n) 業餘愛好者

static (adj) 靜態的

stretching exercise (n phr) 伸展運動

[Smarties' Power English 第231期]