Diaulos
The Diaulos was an ancient Greek double-length footrace introduced at the 14th Olympic Games in 724 BC. Competitors sprinted down the straight track, rounded a turning post called a kampter, and raced back to the finish line.
AT A GLANCE
- ERA
- Ancient Greece
- ORIGIN
- Olympia, Greece
- PLAYERS
- Varies (~10–20)
- EQUIPMENT
- None (barefoot)
- PLAYING AREA
- Stadion (~380–400 m)
- DURATION
- 1–2 minutes
- GOVERNING BODY
- Hellanodikai
- OLYMPIC
- Former (724 BC)
History of the Diaulos
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 776 BC | First recorded Ancient Olympic Games with only the stadion race. |
| 724 BC | Diaulos added at the 14th Olympiad; Hypenos of Pisa wins the inaugural race. |
| 520 BC | Hoplitodromos introduced, adopting the same double-length track format. |
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Distance | Two lengths of the stadion track (approx. 380–400 m). |
| Turn Post | Runners rounded turning posts (kamptêres) at the far end. |
| Start Line | Athletes launched from grooved stone starting sills (balbides). |
How a game works
Athletes lined up barefoot at stone starting sills (balbides) carved with grooves for their toes. At the signal, runners sprinted down the length of the track, rounded individual turning posts (kamptêres) at the far end, and sprinted back to the original starting line.
Scoring in one line
The first runner whose torso crossed the finish line after completing both track lengths won the race.
Where it came from
Introduced at the 14th Ancient Olympic Games in 724 BC, the diaulos doubled the distance of the traditional stadion sprint. The name derives from the Greek word for a double-pipe musical instrument, referencing the out-and-back path of the race.
Diaulos today
, The diaulos is no longer contested as a distinct event, but its distance of approximately 400 meters remains a core track event in modern athletics. Modern 400-meter races trace their conceptual lineage back to this ancient Greek sprint.
Run a Diaulos tournament
Brackets, fixtures and standings in your browser — 1 race (~400 m).
FAQ
What is the distance of the Diaulos race?
The Diaulos covered two lengths of the ancient stadion, which totaled roughly 380 to 400 meters depending on the track.
How did runners turn around during the Diaulos?
Runners navigated around turning posts called kamptêres positioned at the far end of the track before returning.
Was the Diaulos an ancient Olympic event?
Yes, it was introduced into the Ancient Olympic Games in 724 BC as the second official footrace event.