A closer look

Because running twenty-six miles isn't torturous enough, let's add fifty pounds of bronze. A popular event in the ancient games was the 'hoplitodromos,' where athletes ran massive footraces wearing full infantry armor, including a heavy helmet, shin guards, and carrying a solid wood-and-bronze shield. It was specifically designed to train soldiers for rapid battlefield maneuvers, but mostly just resulted in severe heatstroke and public exhaustion.