Armoured runners?

[hoplite14gr]

The hoplite race was the main contest in Greek Athletics.

I have run 200 yards wearing full in 2006 with lata Paul Allen (He was 53 anf won the race!)
http://stefanosskarmintzos.files.wordpre...kona7a.jpg

I have run full reconstruction in Nemea 2008 under the supervision of Prof Steven Miller.
We ran 400 yards with helmet shield and chiton

I have run in full armo again in Biscupin Poland in September 2011
http://www.fosphotos.com/index.proxy.php...ge_id=9950

In Olympic, Pythian, Isthmian and Nemean games the Ancient Greeks run with helmet and shield. Grieves were gradually abandoned.

In the funeranry games in honour of the dead at Platea its was in "full gear" and if you wan and wanted to re-run next period you had to swear that if you did not win again you would be executed!

I have written a full article in Greek on the subject.

I have it in English for every foreign editor who is interested.

Kind regards