2010 Lost Dutchman Events – Some Important Final Reminders

 Safety first!  You will be driving to the race on narrow rural streets.  Please heed the speed limit, stop signs & watch for pedestrians. You will encounter a back up as you approach the parking areas, so make sure you have allowed yourself plenty of time.

Plan to Arrive Early on Race Morning

Packet Pick up: You may pick up your packet at any of these locations:

• Friday February 12^th at Road Runner Sports 43 S. McClintock Tempe, AZ 85281 - 11 AM to 6 PM

• Saturday February 13^th at the Health and Fitness Expo 1035 N. Idaho Rd. Apache Junction, AZ        8 AM to 6 PM

Sunday February 14^th at Prospector Park 3015 N. Idaho Rd. Apache Junction, AZ beginning at 5:30 AM NOTE: There is no day of race packet pick up for the full marathon. Marathon runners MUST pick up race packets at Road Runner Sports on Friday or at the Expo on Saturday. We will have record crowds on race day so please arrive early.

Chip Timing: Unlike prior years, this year’s race is chip timed. You will receive your chip when you pick up your packet. The chip must be attached to your shoe. It is a good idea to attach it to the shoe you will be wearing the night before so that you don’t forget it on race morning. Please wear your chip even if you don’t care about your time, without it you will not appear in the results and it can interfere with the scoring of other runners. DO NOT trade or sell your chip to another runner.

Race Bibs: Do not remove your bib until after you cross the finish line. Your bib must be visible at all times during the race.

Important Notice: Please be sure to arrive EXTRA-EARLY for parking and for shuttle buses – arrive late and you may miss your start!   Half Marathon, 10K, 8K, 2 milers: try to pick up race packets at Road Runner Sports or the Fitness Expo (not at Prospector Park on race morning)!  This will help alleviate long lines! All races start on time.

Race Start Times:  Marathon: 7:00 AM, Half Marathon: 7:30 AM, 8K Trail Run: 7:45 AM, 10K: 8:00 AM, 2 Mile: 8:05 AM.  All races start on time. Start time temperatures should be in the 40’s.  

Health and Fitness Expo:  The expo will be held at the Apache Junction Multigenerational Center - 1035 N Idaho Rd in Apache Junction, AZ on Saturday, February 13th.  Time:  8 AM to 5 PM.  We are expecting new and returning vendors and race sponsors to be in attendance at the 2010 Expo.  This is your chance to meet other runners and race organizers, view maps and discuss the race courses, pick up your race t-shirt, bib number, and timing chip.

 Directions to Expo:

Traveling east on U.S. 60 (Superstition Freeway) from Phoenix, turn north on Idaho Rd and proceed approximately 2.4 miles to Superstition Blvd. The multigenerational center is the largest building on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Traveling east on SR 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) from Mesa/Scottsdale, exit on University, and turn left. Proceed east to Idaho Rd. and turn left. The center is about 500 feet on your right.

Traveling east on SR 202 (San Tan Freeway) from Tucson/Casa Grande/Chandler, exit on University, and turn right. Proceed east to Idaho Rd. and turn left. The center is about 500 feet on your right.

Participants staying at Gold Canyon Golf Resort or Best Western Gold Canyon:  Shuttle buses will be available to take you to the Expo and back to your hotel on Saturday February 13th as follows:

• Depart Gold Canyon Golf Resort at 9:00 AM; Depart Gold Canyon Best Western at 9:15 AM.  Return shuttle to hotels departs at 12:30 PM from the expo.

• Depart Gold Canyon Golf Resort at 2:00 PM. Depart Gold Canyon Best Western at 2:15 PM.  Return shuttle to hotels departs at 4:00 PM from the expo.

Pre-Race Pasta Dinner for Runners, Families, and Friends:  Two local restaurants are hosting pasta dinners at special prices for runners on Saturday February 13^th. Check in your goodie bag for $9.99 dinner coupons at Kokopelli in the Gold Canyon Golf Resort or Dirtwater Springs in Apache junction. Extra coupons for family and friends may be requested at the expo.

Directions for full marathoners on Race Morning (for other races see further down)

Full Marathoners only: 

1.       You must be bussed to the start area at Peralta Trailhead. 

2.       The marathon start line is NOT at Prospector Park in Apache Junction. 

3.       Private vehicles are not allowed anywhere near the marathon start line on race morning.  If you attempt to drive to the marathon start on race morning you will be disqualified and may be ticketed.                     

FULL MARATHONERS have 4 options available to get to the start line:

1. Be bussed from the Rodeo Grounds (directions below) Most marathoners will use this option.
2. Be bussed from Peralta School  (directions below)
3. Be bussed from Gold Canyon Golf Resort (see below)
4. Be bussed from Best Western Hotel Gold Canyon (see below)

Busses to Full Marathon Start: 

• Option 1 – From the Rodeo Grounds in Apache Junction:  First bus departs at 4:30 AM.  Last bus departs 5:45 AM SHARP. This is the best option for most marathoners. You will be close to the marathon finish line and be able to take a shuttle back to your car. See directions on how to get to Rodeo Grounds below.

• Option 2 – From the Peralta Trails Elementary School in Gold Canyon:  First bus departs 5:20 AM, last bus departs 6:05 AM SHARP. This is for dropping off only; there is no return shuttle to the Peralta Trails Elementary School. See directions on how to get to Peralta Trails Elementary School below.

• Option 3 – From Gold Canyon Golf Resort (for guests only): Bus departs at 5:25 AM.

• Option 4 – Best Western Gold Canyon (for guests only): Bus departs at 5:30 AM 

There are return shuttles from the finish line to both hotels.   

Directions to Rodeo Grounds:  1590 E. Lost Dutchman Blvd. AJ, AZ. Driving East on Hwy. 60 (Superstition Freeway) from Phoenix, exit at Tomahawk Road, turn left and proceed north for approximately 3.5 miles.  Tomahawk Road dead-ends at the Rodeo Grounds.  Parking attendants will guide you. There WILL be shuttles back and forth between the Rodeo Grounds and Prospector Park all day.

Directions to Peralta Elementary School (For Marathon Runners only):  Take US 60 east and continue past Gold Canyon.  Proceed approximately 1.5 miles past Kings Ranch Road.  Turn LEFT (north) on to Peralta Road and continue approximately 1 mile to Peralta Elementary School (on your right).   There are NO shuttles back to Peralta School from the marathon finish line in Prospector Park! Have someone drop you off; do not leave your car.

Full Marathon Start Line:  At the start area at Don’s Camp we’ll provide Hot Coffee, Chocolate, Tea, home made breakfast breads, and of course water. We provide ground mats for you to stretch or just sit by the mesquite warming-fires.  Come out early and spend some time relaxing with fellow-runners and enjoy the moon over the awesome Sonoran Desert. Plenty of Port-a-Jons will be available. There will also be a “warming” bus in case of unusually cold weather. The last bus will remain at the start area to transport your drop bags to the finish line in Prospector Park. Your Goodie bag is your drop bag, be sure it is marked with your bib number. It will be available for pick up on the basketball courts near the awards ceremony. Please do not attempt to drive to the start on race morning. Anyone taking a personal vehicle to the start area on race morning will be disqualified and may be ticketed.

Aid Stations:  There are 16 aid stations along the marathon course starting at mile 2, then every two miles thereafter up to mile 20, at which point they are every mile.  Water is at every aid station. HEED lemon lime will be available at every other aid station starting at marathon mile 4.  Hammer Gel (vanilla or raspberry) will be at miles 10 and 18 on the marathon course only.  Bananas will be at 4 aid stations.  There are Port-a-Jons close to every aid station.  Aid stations are staffed by our tremendous volunteers without whom our event could not happen.  Please thank them along the way.

Directions for Half Marathon / 10K / 8K / 2 Mile Run or Walk

Parking: Your races begin and end at Prospector Park in Apache Junction.  You have 2 parking choices

Option 1 You may use the Tomahawk access where there is ample parking. From there you can either take a shuttle over to the park or walk along the side of the road. It is 9 tenths of a mile and there will be light towers spread out along the road. Shuttle busses run continuously throughout the day between the Rodeo Grounds and the Park beginning at 5 AM.

OR

Option 2 Driving east from Phoenix on US 60, exit at Ironwood.  Turn left and proceed north on Ironwood approximately 4.5 miles, then turn right on to McKellips Road.  Proceed one mile and turn right on to Idaho.  Proceed approximately ½ mile to parking lot. If the parking lots are full you may park anywhere along Idaho north of the south access to the park.

 Important: Do Not attempt to reach Prospector Park or the Rodeo Grounds by traveling north from U.S. 60 on IDAHO ROAD after 5 AM (your access will be blocked by police and you may experience long delays!)

Aid Stations: For the 10K and Half Marathon courses there are aid stations every mile with water at every aid station and HEED Lemon Lime Sports Drink at every other aid station. For the 8K Trail Race there is one aid station that all runners will pass twice. It will provide water and HEED Sports Drink. There are port-a-jons near every aid station.

Drop Bags – Half Marathon/10K/8K/2 Mile:  Your goodie bag is your race drop bag — If you want to leave clothing at the park while you run there will be a drop area at the basketball courts. Be sure to mark your race number on the bag prior to drop off at start area. Do not leave valuables. Your races start and finish in Prospector Park.

Directions for Spectators: Spectators may park either at the Rodeo Grounds and take the shuttle to the park, or Park on Idaho Rd north of Prospector Park. Follow driving directions above. Join us at the park on Sunday for family friendly games, food, and prizes in the Celebration Zone. Youth fitness activities are co-sponsored by AJ Parks and Recreation and the Lost Dutchman Marathon Committee.

Arrive Early to the Start:  We cannot delay race starts for late-arriving runners! All races will start on time!