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DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully infer and draw conclusions from the facts presented in the text.                       Can you imagine running a marathon from start to finish? Surviving 26 miles of running is quite a challenge for most people. Compared to the Bad water Ultra marathon held each year California, it is little more than a short walk. This difficult race covers more than one hundred miles and is equal to five marathons. It is held in the summer, so temperatures frequently hit triple digits. Runners have two full days to reach the finish line. During that time, they have to cross three mountain ranges. They commonly run into headwinds blowing up to 25 miles an hour. Each year, people from all over the world apply to be part of the race. The event's organizers have had to set up strict rules about who can participate. Only athletes who have proven they can endure such harsh running conditions are allowed. A sense of humour helps too. In 2012, one male runner completed the race wearing a pink tutu. Read this sentence from the text. Only athletes who have proven they can endure such harsh running conditions are allowed. Why does the author use the verb "endure" in this sentence?

A) To indicate the strictness of the race's rules.

B) To point out that many people do not survive the event.

C) To discourage novice runners from joining the competition.

D) To emphasize the difficulty of participating in this race.