Dolichos (race)

The dolichos or dolichus (Greek: Δόλιχος, English translation: "long race") in the ancient Olympic Games was a long race (c. 4800 m) introduced in 720 BC.

Separate accounts of the race present conflicting evidence as to the actual length of the dolichos: however, the average stated length of the race was approximately 12.5 laps, or about three miles (4.828 km). The event was run similarly to modern marathons: the runners would begin and end their event in the stadium proper, but the race course would wind its way through the Olympic grounds.

The course would often flank important shrines and statues in the sanctuary, passing by the Nike statue by the temple of Zeus before returning to the stadium.

The dolichos was not as popular as the sprint races like the stadion, and it may have served as an undercard for the main event. According to Philostratus, dolichos runners "move almost as if they were walking, holding up their hands in front of them" before the final kick, similar to how modern "sit-and-kick" 5000 metres and 10,000 metres races are often run at the Olympics.

Dolichos on coinage
Dolichos events have been selected as a main motif in numerous collectors' coins. One of the recent samples is the €10 Greek relays commemorative coin, minted in 2003 to commemorate the 2004 Summer Olympics. In the obverse of the coin three modern athletes run, holding their batons while in the background three ancient athletes are shown running a dolichos.

Winners

 * Acanthus of Sparta: 720 BC
 * Ergoteles of Himera: 472 BC
 * Ladas of Argos: 460 BC
 * Aristeus of Argos: 420 BC
 * Sotades of Crete: 384 BC
 * Malacus of Macedonia: 329 BC
 * Aegeus of Argos: 328 BC
 * Polites of Ceramus: 69 AD