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        The ancient running race in the pentathlon was called the stadion or stade race. The race consisted of a sprint down the length of the stadium or 200 meters. The athletes started from the starting line, or the balbis. The race did have judges to determine the winner of the race, who were called hellanodikai.  The ancient runner started from a standing position, with arms stretched forward, and one foot in front of the other, with toes firmly gripping the grooves in the marble sill.  Those who jumped the start, risked being flogged, by policeman called alytes. This race determined the length of the stadium at Olympia.

   

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This picture is of a pot painting of the race.

This is a statue of a runner in the starting position.

 

 

 

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This background is an eastern view of the stadium at Olympia.