Antonio Rao, a 92-year-old Italian man, has proven that age is just a number. This year, he finished his 30th Rome Marathon in a row, completing the 42-kilometer race in 6 hours and 44 minutes — 10 minutes faster than last year. For someone in his 90s, finishing a marathon in under 7 hours is extraordinary, but Antonio isn’t an ordinary runner.
Running has been Antonio’s passion for over 80 years. Born in 1933, he ran away from his home in Calabria to Rome when he was just 10 and hasn’t stopped running since. He started running daily as a teenager to keep up with a friend. Since then, running has become his way of life. Even now, he trains 20-30 kilometers weekly. “If I can do it at this age, anyone can. I’d like to be an example of that,” he says, hoping to inspire others.
The Rome Marathon holds a special place in Antonio’s heart. He hasn’t missed it once in the past 30 years. His greatest achievement came in 2023 when he broke the world record for runners aged 90 and above. He finished the marathon in 6 hours and 14 minutes, breaking the M90 world record by a staggering (令人震惊的) 30 minutes.
Despite recent health challenges, Antonio surprised himself this year. “I didn’t think I could finish,” he told reporters after the race. “But I ended up improving my time!” To him, running isn’t just exercise — it’s life itself. “Running and walking keep me going. I encourage everyone to try it,” he adds with a smile.
Antonio’s story shows that determination and daily effort can lead to amazing results. As people worldwide hear about his achievements, he continues to prove that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
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1.1. What is Antonio’s achievement in this year’s Rome Marathon?
A He broke his personal record by 30 minutes.
B He improved on last year’s performance by 10 minutes.
C He became the oldest marathon runner in history.
D He completed his first marathon at age 90.
解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第一段的“This year, he finished his 30th Rome Marathon in a row, completing the 42-kilometer race in 6 hours and 44 minutes—10 minutes faster than last year.”可知，今年安东尼奥·拉奥以6小时44分冲过终点线，较去年成绩提升10分钟。故选B。
2.2. What caused Antonio to start running daily as a teenager?
A To prepare for professional competitions.
B To improve his health condition.
C To follow his friend’s pace.
D To escape family responsibilities.
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第二段的“He started running daily as a teenager to keep up with a friend”可知，他坦言少年时期为追赶一位朋友而开始每日跑步。故选C。
3.3. What makes Antonio’s 2023 marathon performance special?
A He won first place overall.
B He ran with serious health issues.
C He attracted global media attention.
D He set a new age-group world record.
解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第三段的“His greatest achievement came in 2023 when he broke the world record for runners aged 90 and above.”可知，其巅峰成就当属2023年赛事——当时他以6小时14分完赛，将90岁以上年龄组（90+）世界纪录大幅刷新30分钟，创下震撼体育界的M90组新纪录。故选D。
4.4. What is Antonio’s attitude toward running according to the text?
A He views it as the essence of his existence.
B He considers it merely a physical exercise.
C He regrets starting it at an old age.
D He recommends it only for young people.
解析：选A。A 推理判断题。倒数第二段中引用Antonio的话“running isn’t just exercise—it’s life itself”可知，对他来说跑步是生命本身。故选A。
