hoplitodromos

thumb|Hoplitodromos from an Attic Black-figure pottery|black-figure [[Panathenaic amphora, 323–322 BC]] The hoplitodromos or hoplitodromia (Greek: , English translation: "race of the hoplites") was an ancient foot race, part of the Olympic Games and the other Panhellenic Games. It was the last foot race to be added to the Olympics, first appearing at the 65th Olympics in 520 BC, and was traditionally the last foot race to be held.

thumb|left|upright|Hoplitodromia, Attic Red-figure pottery|red-figured neck-amphora by the [[Berlin Painter, BC, Louvre Museum (CA 214)]] Unlike the other races, which were generally run in the nude, the hoplitodromos required competitors to run wearing the hopla, the helmet, greaves and heavy shield (aspis) from which the hoplite infantryman took its name, bringing the total encumbrance to at least 6 kg (12 pounds). As the hoplitodromos was one of the shorter foot races, the heavy armor and shield were less a test of endurance than one of sheer muscular strength. After 450 BC, the use of greaves was abandoned; however, the weight of the shield and helmet remained substantial.