Driving, Parking & Marathon Transportation

All Lost Dutchman races start and end in Prospector Park with the exception of the Marathon which begins near Gold Canyon and finishes in Prospector Park.

Prospector Park is located at 3015 N. Idaho Road, Apache Junction, AZ 85219. Parking is available in the Rodeo Grounds southeast of the park or within the park and along Idaho Road to the north. Below is a park map and more specific instructions for marathon participants, runners in all other events and spectators.

Driving Directions

From Phoenix Metropolitan Area: Reach the Lost Dutchman Marathon by Traveling east on U.S. 60 (Superstition Freeway) from Phoenix.  For Prospector Park and Idaho Road access, 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 onto Idaho Road.  For Rodeo Grounds access take the Tomahawk Road Exit and head north approximately 2 miles and turn left into the rodeo grounds entrance.

From Mesa/Scottsdale: Use U.S. 60 as described above or if traveling south east on SR 202 (Red Mountain Freeway), exit on University,  turn left. Proceed east to Ironwood, north to McKellips, east to Idaho and south to the park.

From Tucson/Casa Grande/Chandler: Traveling north east on SR 202 (San Tan Freeway) from Tucson/Casa Grande/Chandler, either use U.S. 60 or University and follow the instructions above,

Parking

Parking for all races is available at the Rodeo Grounds. Access to the Rodeo Grounds will be via Tomahawk Drive only.  For runners and spectators shuttle buses will be available throughout the day between parking at the Rodeo Grounds and the start finish line in Prospector Park.  If you wish to exercise, the walk will be approximately 0.9 miles.  See the map of Prospector Park and Parking at the bottom of this page.

Spectators and runners with races originating at Prospector Park can park on the north side of the park following the Ironwood Exit route. indicated by the orange arrows on the map to the right. 

Lost Dutchman Boulevard will be closed at 7:00 AM through the duration of our event.

Click on the map to the right for a larger image.

Marathon Transportation: All runners will be bused to the start. No private vehicle drop off of runners at the start line will be allowed.  Getting to the marathon starting line:

1. Park your vehicle at the Rodeo Grounds. Buses will begin loading at The Rodeo Grounds at 4:30 AM. The last bus to the start will leave the Rodeo Grounds at 5:45 AM SHARP. Clothing will be transported back to the finish line and made available immediately after the race.
2. If you have someone with you, they may drop you off at Peralta Trail Elementary School. This is drop off only, and any unattended cars will be towed. Buses will begin loading at 5:20 AM and the last bus will leave at 6:05 AM sharp. The last bus will remain at the start line to transport clothing back to the finish line and be available on the basketball courts in the park.
3. For guests of the Gold Canyon Golf Resort (Host Hotel), a shuttle will depart the hotel at 5:25 AM and arrive at the marathon start line at approximately 6:00 AM.
4. For guests of the Gold Canyon Best Western, a shuttle will depart at 5:30 AM and arrive at the marathon start line at approximately 6:00 AM.

Half Marathon / 10K / 8K / 2 Mile Run or Walk:  Your races begin and end at Prospector Park in Apache Junction.  You may use the Tomahawk access and take the shuttle as described above or driving east from Phoenix on US 60, exit at Ironwood.  Turn left and proceed north on Ironwood approximately 4.5 miles, then turn right onto 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. Do not attempt to access the park on Idaho as it will be closed at 7 AM for preparation of the race course.

Spectators:   The best access to see the start and finish of the Half Marathon, 10K, 8K, and 2 mile is Prospector Park. This is also the finish line for the Full Marathon. You may use the Tomahawk access and take the shuttle as described above or 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. Do not attempt to access the park on Idaho as it will be closed at 7 AM for preparation of the race course.

Spectator friendly locations for all events are clearly marked on the marathon map.

Parking Map: (click on image to expand)