“ A man decked with garlands (possibly the priest himself) started running, pursued by a band of young men called σταφυλοδρόμοι (“running with bunches of grapes in their hands”) ; if he was caught, it was a guarantee of good fortune to the city ”

“ By way of punishment, Apollo visited the army with a pestilence, which only ceased after the institution of the Carnea. The tradition is probably intended to explain the sacrifice of an animal (perhaps a later substitute for a human being) as the representative of the god.
The agrarian and military sides of the festival are clearly distinguished. (1) Five unmarried youths (Καρνεᾶται) were chosen by lot from each [tribe] for four years, to superintend the proceedings, the officiating priest being called ἀγητής (“leader”) . ”