Ten thousand Athenians gathered in Marathon to defend their city. According to Herodotus, they advanced at a run for a mile towards the enemy. The Persians thought the move suicidal but soon had to run back to their ships to save their lives. And yet it seems unlikely that the Athenians charged the enemy as described. In related experiments, healthy and fit athletes were unable to run for a mile and stay in fighting condition. The Athenians hoplites, of various ages and physical conditions, would certainly be unable to run against the enemy carrying their armour and heavy shield. The maximum distance they could have run without losing formation or their fighting ability was 250 yards.