Lost Dutchman Marathon Events

Runner Comments and Feedback

Lost Dutchman Marathon 2012

We think Lost Dutchman Marathon is a terrific event, but don't just take our word for it. Every year we get lots of positive feedback. See what runners from around the country have had to say about our race.

2012 Feedback

Just wanted to thank you for an amazing marathon! Everything was perfect. We stayed at the Gold Canyon Resort and it was wonderful! Loved the shuttle to the start. The campfires were so fun and the mats we sat on were great. Plenty of porta potties. Thank you for your last-minute instructions. I looked forward to the 24 mile-mark wall. That was soo fun! The volunteers, spectators were amazing and added to the great experience. I loved the course and the long-horned cows. Loved the every 2-mile aid stations and every mile to mile after 20. Brilliant! I loved, loved the medal! You outdid yourself! And I even got an age-group award. Loved the post-pic with the miner! I will definitely tell everyone about this race. It definitely lived up to it's reputation as being one of the 20 must-dos in the marathon community! Thank you for all your hard work!

Sue Mantyla, Salt Lake City, UT

Very well organized

Roger Shrum, Belvidere, Illinois

This race is top notch. There are many options for different runners, long distance or short. I've enjoyed all three of my LDM & plan on running the 1/2 as well as the 8k so I can say I've run all of the distances offered. Excellent job!

Deb Kovar - Engadine, MI

My first race ever, and I'm already planning to train for a half from here. Thanks for being my inspiration!

Sarah Ballard, Portland, OR

I absolutely loved this race. The scenery was beautiful. The campfires by the mountainside in the morning were fantastic!! Photos did not do them justice. The volunteers were all so welcoming and friendly, as were all the race staff members I met. I will be spreading the word to all my marathon friends that this is a must do marathon. It is highly likely that I will be back to run it again. Love, love, loved it!!!

Leah Thorvilson- Little Rock, AR

LDM is a runners run that is well organized and worth the hurt! I traveled from Chicago because I wanted to experience a locally organized race with no frills and/or gimmicks, which has become commonplace in the running community. What I appreciated most was the care and attentiveness of the volunteers who manned the water stations, pass out GU, bananas, organs, and donuts and the police who kept the highways and streets safe for runners. The fires and warming busses at the start/staging area felt like Burning Man for runners. Simply said, this is a big race with a local flare.

Alfred Perez, Chciago, IL

The most scenic and well-organized race I've ever participated in - thank you!

Megan Sterling - Mesa, AZ

Simply put, a fabulous event. We came down from Alberta, Canada and would definitely recommend this race to other Canadians looking for a destination race. The outline of the Superstition Mountains looks like a movie backdrop - a surreal feeling as you run down the road toward them! Volunteers working the water stations are second to none in exuberance and positive energy! Well done, LDM!

Nick Beck, Edmonton, AB, Canada

LDM is a desert gem; it shines year after year. Execution at all levels is outstanding--yet you don't boast. The army of friendly volunteers have smiles that never fade. All the details are delivered without fail. Race day logistics are incredible; easy to navigate parking/shuttles, pre-race amenities--what a place to foster camaraderie, on-time start, perfectly measured course, easy-to-read mile markers, super friendly folks at the water stations, multiple gel and banana stops, abundant restrooms along the course, incredible desert scenery, high-quality finisher medals, an outstanding food buffet post-race, results posted quickly, updated website and Facebook info throughout, quality tech tees, easy bag drop off and retrieval, and all this offered with value-priced entry fees--what's not to like? Word-of-mouth will attract ever more entrants because it deserves so--thanks for making our race experience second-to-none!

Mark Gershman Scottsdale, AZ

This is the race I recommend to all of my running friends. It's my favorite race for the great organization and communication, location and scenery, course support, fellow runners who are very encouraging and friendly, and high-quality medals for four distances. Also, I loved the shirt this year -- thanks for making it a tech t-shirt. I'll see you next year!

Trish - Phoenix, AZ

After running 87 marathons and a bunch of half's I think I an qualified to say this is about as good as it gets for a "small" event.

Bud

I will definitely come back in the near future. This was my first marathon and I couldn't have selected a better course. The people were awesome and the scenery was just amazing which lessened the hardship of the run. I got to have me more cowbell.

Jim Rabideau - East Greenbush, NY

LDM is a great race. Great scenery, great volunteers, and a really good energy all day. It's not just that they do so many of the big things well; it's also that they get so many of the small details right. This was my first time doing LDM, and now I see why people rave about it and come back year after year.

Bill D. - Phoenix, AZ

What a great race! I'm a New England runner and this was my first destination marathon. The start was a unique experience; sunrise over Superstition Mountains, warming fires, 6 mile run through the desert, water stops every 2miles. Just absolutely amazing. I would definitely rate this as one of my favorites.

Renee - Ashland MA

The first 6 miles took my breath away! I was pleased with all of the water stops and the enthusiasm of the volunteers along the course. For my first marathon I'm glad that I chose the Lost Dutchman.

Andy Petzold - Rochester, MN

GREAT RACE- GREAT SCENERY.

CJ-Terrebonne, Or

This is one of the classiest races I've run in my 40 years of running at any distance - that spans nearly 300 races. The attention to detail from the Expo to the finish area was remarkable and being named as one of the top small races by Runner's World was more than deserved. I loved the warming fires and the chance to watch sunrise over the Superstitions. The T-shirt was the best I've received in years and the finisher's medal was perfect. Every person associated with the race made you feel special for just showing up - that's very rare in today's marathon market. Thanks and kudos to everyone associated with Lost Dutchman!

John Zielinski - Shreveport, LA

7th run, enjoy it every year, will keep coming back as long as I'm able. It was my first marathon and it's the only one I do annually. Loved it.

Chad - Bentonville, Arkansas

Typically I volunteer at this event. This year I decided to see if from a different prospective. Awesome!!!

Orion - Apache Junction

Another well-run event, congratulations! You have amazing volunteers. I loved the half marathon start -- no delays, no long preamble, no prep or countdown, just get in position and start to run. Best yet!!

Apache Junction/Alberta

Another great race!

Karen Gilligan - Scottsdale, AZ

The Lost Dutchman never disappoints! It's my favourite ... from the Pre-Race tea by the fire .... to all the exhuberent volunteers .... to the Post-Race breakfast burrito. Oh and the scenery is wonderful too.

Melanie Last - Vancouver Canada

After 23 years of competitive bicycle racing, this is my first marathon race. I have never, ever had a better experience at any race in the USA. I have raced bikes in the west and all over the country for national championships but I have never been to any race more organized, smooth, well-run,top notch supported with food/water, fan supported, fun, entertaining, challenging, stimulating, and filled with genuinely nice people from the expo to the bus drivers to the promoters from start to finish. the fellow runner that i joined were the most inspirational and nice people in the whole world. thank you lost dutchman marathon!

Greg Hritzo - Apache Junction

This was my very first 8K marathon. Very organized and exceeded my expectations. Excellent job by all! I will be returning next year!

Karen M. Palmer, Mesa, AZ

Very well run race. Loved that the half marathon started on time. Wonderful support from the volunteers. Medals were beautiful. Really enjoyed the course with the rolling hills. Will definitely be back next year. Was super to be able to get my results so fast on the computer and tv on site post-race, very nice feature.

Dorothy Waterhouse- Phoenix, AZ

I want to thank the LDM organization for this excellent race. I volunteered both days at Roadrunner Store and was so pleased by being part of it. Christa, Colleen, Rick and everybody else are such a pleasure to be around. As I runner I found that everything was smooth from start to finish. I was very impressed with the start set up for the marathon from buses, to fire, to portapotties. The course is awesome, the views spectacular and the support excellent. I am looking forward to next year. Thank you!

Cristina, Phoenix

This was my first running event and it was a wonderful experience. Very well organized, lots of info for newbies and a beautiful area to run in.

Kim Lingo - Gilbert, AZ

Fantastic race...so much fun!

Jason F. - Chandler, AZ

The race was a hit! A little chilly before the sun came up, but a great day (& race) spent with friends!

DebK Gilbert, AZ

Great event. Beautiful Scenery. Awesome volunteers!

Kris - Chandler, AZ

This is my fourth marathon and just after NYC marathon. I loved, sorry I LOVED LDM so much better than i could imagined! Extremely well organized, "intimate", amazing location, atmosphere and much more! A full experience that you don't find in most of the races. Pictures don't give justice to what you will experience while running. Please keep it "limited"! Thank you

Riccardo Mapelli - NYC

I was very impressed with the overall race organization. Had a wonderful time. The scenery throughout the race was amazing, and the race start was the most beautiful I've ever been a part of. Great support by volunteers on the course, very friendly along the way.

Justin Villere - Monument, CO

This is a great event no matter which run you enter. The half and 10K are great courses and the trail run is always fun. Only one I haven't completed is the full marathon. Great support and volunteers. Loved the burritos at the finish!

Janet Johnson-Gold Canyon, AZ

I ran the 8k for the second year in a row. It was an excellent experience. The Lost Dutchman 8k has been my favorite race for 2 years in a row! Everything was well organized and the trail run was better than I expected it to be. Last year, the trail run was moved to the street due to heavy rains so I did not know what to expect today. I was very impressed with everything...from the lack of lines at packet-pickup, the info provided prior to the race, the organized parking with plenty of security, and the nice volunteers working the event. I loved the performance shirt that was given to all runners. The finisher medal for everyone completing the race is beautiful and I will hang it on the wall with pride. Thank you so much for the great experience and memories! See you next year!

Kim -Apache Junction, AZ

I have only run 3 marathons, and by far this was the best organized. Super job to all, to include the city of Apache Junction. Fantastic work! See you next year!

Ben Walters - Tucson, AZ

This was my first ever 10K. I had a great time. The event was well organized and I didn't feel out of place or lost at all. Good job!

Mike Colburn - Chandler, AZ

The Lost Dutchman Marathon continues to be the GEM in the desert of small marathons!! Always better then the many crowded big city marathons that are being held all over the country. This is a race that consistently gets it RIGHT year after year. From the unique campfire start to the great support on the course all the way to “THE WALL†near the finish. It all makes this race so different and enjoyable!

Mike Feraldi Apache Junction, AZ

Looking forward to next year's event already! Thank you, to the volunteers and staff, on a well organized event.

David Quist - Chandler, AZ

I love, love, love this race. Not too crowded, friendly runners and volunteers and just enough hilly terrain to challenge but not defeat me!

Gilbert, Az

Best race in Arizona. Much better organized and runner friendly that the RockandRoll

Mesa

It's a great race with the Superstition Mountains in the backdrop. I would definitely come back if even just for a half marathon if I actually lived in Arizona. Thanks for the great time! Of the five marathons I've done, this is second only to the Disney World Marathon.

Manhattan, KS

For just having ran the PF Chang's a month ago, I expected a lot less because of the smaller size. I was wrong and I think the LDM was extremely well organized. Especially packet pickup, and trans to and from the event on the buses. Very well done! Thanks for the great time.

San Tan Valley

Everything was great! Beautiful views and awesome volunteers. Will be back ! oh yeah, the bagels were to run for!

Payson

Your event is always so well organized that it is a very relaxing experience.

Mesa

Great race and course Great finisher medallion Only issue I had was not being sure where the start was I almost went way looking in the wrong direction

Phx

This is my second Lost Dutchman Marathon and second PR! The race organizers, volunteers and runners are the best! Looking forward to next year! Thank you for another phenomenal race!!!

Mario Medina - Phoenix, AZ

The course is so beautiful and in a very wild place. A coyote ran across the race course in front of me. All of the support was excellent and wonderful. My mom and I plan to run this race again next year!

Shauna-Rae Brown - Casa Grande, AZ

The support along the way was amazing. Thank you so much for staying out there until the bitter end!

Diana Breed - Peoria, AZ

Excellent race. The aid stations were manned by friendly and enthusiastic volunteers. The course is fantastic with lots of variety.

Tucson

Perfect start to the day. I will be back hope your able to add 5 to 10 more miles of off road.

Michigan

Another great race that went off flawlessly from this marathon participant. The addition of the pace markers at the start of this years race helped smooth out the start of the marathon. My thanks to the Lost Dutchman support team.

Maricopa, AZ

This was my 7th marathon and 1st Lost Dutchman. Even though this was one of the tougher courses I have run, I still PR'd by over 5 minutes and came home with an age group place for the first time in my running career. Thank you for a great day!

Denver, CO

This was my first LDM event (1/2 marathon). Thoroughly enjoyed it!! Excellent website. Access, parking and shuttle, bag drop very convenient and smoothly run. Convenient aid stations with helpful volunteers, challenging course. The "wall" is a nice, unique feature. Great to have the race results on-site along with the expo. Medal and shirt very nice. I look forward to running the full marathon.

Phoenix

On-couse race support was fantastic. Beautiful views with the mountains. Someone with a sense of humor created the "Wall".

Maryland

This was my first marathon and really enjoyed the run. Please thank the volunteers as they were all most excellent. This was a very well organized event featuring outstanding scenery and great energy!

Mark Greksa - Dillon, CI

Another well run Lost Dutchman...will definitely be back next year!!

Ahwatukee

This was my first race every and I have to say it was very well organized. Everyone was very helpful. I will for sure be back again next year. I loved and appreciate all the volunteers who came out to help. Especially the Girl Scouts handing out cookies!!!

Michelle-Apache Junction

What an amazing experience this was. I ran my first 1/2 Marathon and couldn't have been more impressed. First class organization, well manned water stations, great finishers medals, and to the awesome scenery make this a world class race. My thanks to all the folks who worked so hard to put this race on. You did yourselves proud!!

Terry Petko Mesa, AZ.

Great Local feel. Good organization and everything seemed to go smoothly. Great scenery and i enjoyed the 8k course. Will be back for the 1/2 or full marathon in 2013

Scott J - Spokane WA

Nicely done!

Craig Helmer Minneapolis MN

Awesome race! I love the fires at the start, and the aid stations are fabulous!! Very well-organized, beautiful course, a lot of fun!!

Sheila

Friends told me that LDM is the best race of all possible and they were correct. I've run 16 other races from San Francisco to Lake Placid and discovered that LDM is "just right" (apologies to Goldilocks!)

Linda van der Wal - Scottsdale, AZ

p>

I live in Apache Junction and my wife and I hosted a pasta dinner party on Saturday at our home for several other runners, including two NAU Flagstaff professors who stayed in Apache Junction that night to run on Sunday. They rented a place at Dolce Vita for the night. Both had personal bests on their runs, the whole experience was excellent for all of us.

Jerald Monahan - Apache Junction, AZ

An amazing event; expertly run in a beautiful sorrounding!

George Lukes - Mesa

Best Marathon I have ever attended.

Josh Drake- Hot Srings, AR

First time running at this event. Have already talked with several running friends and planning on the next one. Beautiful run and views.

Mesa

This was my first time running this event, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with how well it was organized and supported. I believe that this support really enhanced the feel of the race and made it easier for runners of different backgrounds to interact with each other and make it a supremely fun event. It was one of the best racing events I have participated in thus far and I have already recommended next years event to all my running friends.

James Mallatt - San Tan Valley, AZ

I thought that it was an excellent race. It was everything that I hoped it would be and then some. I set a new PR in this course which was surprising because it was not an easy course. However, the weather was perfect and the scenery was beautiful. I hope to run it again some day and I will definitely be telling all of my running friends to plan on it for a great destination race.

Richard Simon - Baldwinsville, NY

Your race is a perfect example of how these events should be run. I've done the 8K, full marathon, and this year the half-marathon and every year am reminded how much I appreciate your event.

Scottsdale, AZ

My wife and I came from Durango, CO to get away from winter for a long weekend. We read great reviews about the LDM and they have exceeded our expectations! Thanks!

Durango, CO

I love this place!! I already involved the half marathon and full marathon in AJ. I continue to involve the race every year in Apache Junction :). I am a deaf person and I love running when I was 12 year old.

Marc Jette - Apache Junction, AZ

Awesome- thanks for great race! friendly people, beautiful run, well organized!

Holly Brown- Alberta, Canada

This was such a great event - perfect weather, great scenery, excellent volunteer and support staff. I have been looking forward to this event and it exceeded my expectations. Sincerely hope I get a chance to do this race again in the future.

Phoenix, AZ

This was a fantastic marathon. As I march along on my quest for 50 States, I am realizing that the smaller the race field, the better....for me. This was a small race with tons of support. Because of the great communication with the race planners, I never felt like I didn't know what to do...The hotel was accommodating to all runners with welcome signs, an info packet and an early breakfast. The course was fantastic...with scenery that was jaw dropping. The pre-dawn wait was awesome with the bonfires keeping us all warm...Thank you to all the volunteers and police that kept us hydrated, fed and safe on the roads. I would recommend this race to anyone.. But try to spend a few days enjoying Arizona....we headed up to Sedona for some post race hiking!

Sue Colgan-Borror-Pound Ridge, NY

#16 for me, and you might have just become my favorite. Thank you for an awesome experience!

Juliea - Chicago, IL

First marathon for the wife and me. I enjoyed how the run is broken up between the trail, Gold Canyon and Apache Junction. The weather and scenery was perfect for a couple from the Northwest who had to train in the cold rain, snow, or on the boring treadmill. The support volunteers were great. Thank you for giving us a wonderful marathon experience.

Luke/Kimberly Baker-Graham, WA

Longhorns on the trail? Who though we'd be running with the bulls.

Mark B - Chandler, AZ

I wanted to run my 30th Marathon at a fun and organized race. Coming from snowy Utah, Arizona seemed like the perfect place! The Lost Dutchman Marathon delivered on all counts! Perfect weather, beautiful scenery, AMAZING staff and volunteers, a super cool tech shirt and finishers medal and a photo op with a donkey and prospector at the finish, made this a race I would like to return too! THANKS for putting on such a GREAT event!

Draper, UT

I absolutely love this event-- it is more like an experience than a race! Everything from the ambiance at the marathon start to the amazing scenery and outstanding volunteers made this a very memorable experience. There was a sense of community among fellow runners and volunteers alike and I made some friends out on the course. That doesn't happen at just any old marathon! I couldn't be happier with my experience and in my book the Lost Dutchman Marathon rates as the best marathon in the Valley!

Erin Woodell - Phoenix, AZ

Fantastic race with beautiful scenery & top notch volunteers!! Loved the campfires at the start! ...it was a wonderful and memorable event! If I lived in AZ, I would definitely make it an annual event!

Antioch, IL

Loved the whole experience, my calves have been sore all week from the hills but over all this 1/2 marathon beats the rest just A+++

Laura Cardenas - Scottsdale, AZ

This was my first Half Marathon and I thought it was very well-organized. I liked the volunteer support along the way. The path was fun and challenging with the most amazing views of all the other runs I have done. I'll be back next year!

Nicole -- Mesa, AZ

I came from SoCal for this race and it did not disappoint. It was big enough to have all the amenities a good race should have and small enough to avoid the dreaded corrals (I do not run races with corrals). It was flat and fast with perfect weather and great scenery. The volunteers were outstanding (particularly the Girl Scout and Boy Scout aid stations) as was law enforcement dealing with traffic control.

San Diego, CA

As an experienced volunteer annually with the Seattle marathon. I was impressed with the quality of the volunteers' support.

William Ackley -Lakewood, Wa

This is my favorite running event! It is always well organized and the course is fantastic!

Gold Canyon

One of my favorite races!!

Chandler,AZ

The race was a very memorable and enjoyable experience. Why run PF Chang's, which is crowded and expensive. Than you for this wonderful and professional event.

Al Pajak - Mesa, AZ

AS USUAL, A WONDERFUL EVENT, WELL PLANNED, GREAT COURSE AND GREAT VOLUNTEERS.

RICHARD LOPEZ, GOLD CANYON,AZ

I love the smaller event. Great crowd and love that you give out medals for almost all the events. My Dutchman shirts are always my favorites.

Amber

By far my favorite 1/2 marathon so far. Not overcrowded like most of the other venues. Event access and parking were great, course support and volunteers were awesome. I'm planning on making this a yearly run ( hopefully for the full marathon next year ).

Daniel - Peoria Az

This was a great race experience...! Finally, a race with fantastic volunteer support, conveniences (lots of restrooms), food, people, and a very fun atmosphere. Thank you to all the volunteers and courteous people involved.

Meems - Hesperia, Ca

This was our second year at LDM and we loved every minute of it! The warm, small town race vibe is the perfect antidote to overhyped corporate race-a-paloozas. Great work, LDM, we will be back next year!

New York City

LDM is amazing in its ability to have a small race that provides big-race amenities! You have the best volunteers with plenty of water stations, ample and well-stocked port-o-potties, and a fabulous post-run snack line. I am always impressed. Looking forward to next year!

Scottsdale, AZ

Had a blast! Met lots of nice people along the route. And watching the sun rise over the Superstition Mountains during the race was an added plus!

Carolyn P. - Ayer, MA

Great race experience. Everything you really need for an enjoyable run in a relaxed atmosphere

Wayne Snowdon - Stirling Ontario

I only recently started running and the 8K was my second event. It was a fun course, and overall, the race was well organized. I hope to do it again next year.

Linda P -Pittsburgh, PA

Love this race. Have only run large marathons in the past NYC, Miami, MCM etc but this was extremely enjoyable. Anyone who wants to experience what marathoning is really about should run The Lost Dutchman. Great people, attitudes and smiles.

New Jersey

The start of the marathon will be one of my best first marathon memories-so cool to sit by the fires and start on a desert trail.

Casa Grande AZ

I love this race!!! I have run it 5 years in a row and it gets better each year!! Great race love the meadels always so please keep doing that!!

Melissa Williams Beaverton OR

I love this event so much and tell everyone about it. Thank you for continuing to put on the most organized event I have every participated in.

Amanda B - Tucson, AZ

I LOVE the Lost Dutchman Marathon! The staff and volunteers are very friendly and helpful; it has options for everyone of every age and ability; the course is beautiful and it's fun meeting folks from all over the country that come and participate.

Mesa, AZ

What a great race! Loved the course and the support. Dad and I ran this one to finish our quest of 30 marathons in 30 states in 365 days for Titanium Marathon Maniacs. And this was a great one to end it on. Easily one of my top favorites out of the 60 marathons I have completed so far. Thanks for the outstanding race and all the memories.

Jonathan Young - Benton, AR

Excellent race - great medal, wonderful post-race food, spectacular scenery along the course, nice rolling hills along the course.

C.K. - Phoenix, AZ

Well-organized, high quality running event. Very enjoyable experience.

Jeff Fultz - Shiprock, NM

This is a well-organized and enjoyable race. Volunteers are helpful and friendly and there is a very positive atmosphere amongst the runners.

Sara Atwood, Chandler, AZ

Great race overall - I'm a Maniac/50 Stater and run one marathon each month. I liked the size of the race and overall support.

M. Rice - Pasadena, CA

I have done the race three years in a row now and I love it. I am a local and find it to be one of the most beautiful locations. Staff along the route are wonderful. I will for sure do it again!

Mesa

The volunteers were fantastic and the aid stations were the smoothest, most friendly, well organized aid stations ever.

M - Seattle, WA

Nice out and back course with beautiful scenery. The rolling hills give your legs a workout!

Molly Scott - Scottsdale, AZ

Thank all the volunteers - esp. the man giving parking directions at the Multigen Expo and the two at the race starting line - just wonderful and so friendly! The 8k Trail trail was a fabulous experience - even when you live in AZ - I am bringing my family in AZ and NY to next year's run - thank you so much!

A Late Bloomer Runner

This was my first time @ the Lost Dutchman. I participated in the 10K - I found the event to be very well run and am already making plans to be back next year and plan on brings family & friends to join in the experience.

Dave B - Chandler AZ

This was our first experience in a race and although we did 2 mile fun run to start we are planning 8k next year! This was an amazing experience! Congrats to all runners. We are ALL winners as one marathon runner shared with me. Can't wait for next year ! Thank you for a great experience

Nancy Ramos/Ronnie Butler - San Manuel, AZ

Another great Day at Lost Dutchman!

Tempe, AZ.

This was my first LDM event. I found the whole experience very well organized. The trailhead camp fires created a very special and friendly atmosphere with other runners from all different parts of the country! The first six miles were spectacular. If you didn't stop and pause to take in the desert beauty you really missed something. See you next year!

Greg Shirey - Newburyport , MA

I was very impressed with the amount of volunteers you had at the race. it was very well organized and I felt like there was help if needed.

Jessica Melville - Albuquerque, NM

This was a great event, great course. the volunteers were awesome!

Tom - Gilbert

Loved the route for the 10K!!! It was beautiful. All the people were friendly and supportive. I also loved that our names were announced as we crossed the finish line. Great experience and I will do it again and get others involved too!

Queen Creek,Az.

Once again it was a great event! My husband and I ran the 10k as our first race ever in 2009. We have participated in several other 1/2 marathons and a few marathons since then. This is still my favorite! I look forward to it every year.

Meghan, Tempe, AZ

The start of the marathon was magical with all the little fires to keep you warm. I loved watching the sun come up over the Superstitions.

Glendale AZ

Best small multi-event in AZ and likely top 10 nationally. Teton Ken rules!! A regular rock star!! His picture line was longer than the food line. How about putting his picture on the shirt next year. Thanks so much for offering a cotton shirt replica of the tech shirt so I can wear yo the mall and formal affairs. Awesome design.

Marty M. - Gilbert AZ

The most beautiful setting I have ever ran. Made lots of great friends too!

Diane - Scottsdale, AZ

I love the race- every year I make it my goal to do the Half, and my kids have done the 10k. This year my older daughter also did the half and she enjoyed it as well. We make it a family tradition, having done it since 2005. I love that it's out of the city!!

Krystine Loeb- Avondale AZ

This race improves with age. I really look forward to the LDM and my friends who participate, also love it. It is that much fun. It is well organized, not loaded with thousands, the course is laid out nicely, and I used the grated side of the road this year. My knees were thankful. I look forward to next year's. Nicely done folks.

Bradley Craig- Chandler, Az.

I LOVED this race!! Packet pickup was easy, nice expo - had everything for last minute emergencies and more. Start area was wonderful - plenty of portapotties, warming bus, etc. I really liked having a race official (maybe the asst RD?) get on the bus when we pulled in and gave a 30 second 'map' of the area!! Scenery was gorgeous! The first 'trail' miles really kept me from going out too fast, and although the spectators at mile 4 weren't very vocal, they were gorgeous (cows)! The volunteers were fantastic - plenty at each water stop (which were perfectly spaced), very supportive of the runners, and everyone I met associated with the race was just wonderful!! The finish area capped off a great day - a buffet including breakfast burritos and the best granola I've ever had, the picture opportunity with the mule, and a pretty finishers medal. The opportunity for a shower at the park was an added bonus. This race was recommended to me by a fellow Marathon Maniac/50 Stater as the best Arizona marathon and I can certainly understand why. The LDM is one of my favorite marathons overall, and thanks to the staff and volunteers for a great experience!

LD - Tampa, FL

Pre-race activities were well organized , complete and easy to follow. The volunteers were outstanding - cheerful, encouraging and courteous. Rodeo fairground parking was easy to find and extremely well organized. Plenty of restrooms before the start.

Chuck Coe - Irvine, CA

The banana aid station was clutch!

Cam-Tucson, AZ

Great event! The race logistics are all well planned and executed, the volunteers are fantastic, and there's strong spectator support. Of course, the scenery is awesome!

Gilbert, AZ

Lost Dutchman has always been one of my favorite races. I love the scenery, terrific volunteers, small size of the race, medals, post race food, picture taking with the Lost Dutchman and his mule. It's a great experience. The addition of tech shirts this year made the Lost Dutchman the perfect race! Thanks to everyone involved for such a great experience.

Caryn Anson - Gilbert

I did the 10K for the first time and was thrilled. Lots of wonderful volunteers, well organized and a beautiful course. Just enough incline to make it interesting, but still fun for your average runner. Am looking forward to next year.

Darlene Phoebe, Gilbert, AZ

I love the fact that charities benefit from your race… Everything about your race is first class. Keep up the good work, and a big thank you to all your volunteers!

Vicki King - Towanda, IL

This was my first LDM and I loved the scenery. More hilly than the PFchang, but I beat my Rock-n-roll time by 2 minutes!! Will plan on doing it again next year. Well organized and not too crowded. Thank you volunteers for making it a great experience.

Dina-Gilbert, AZ

This year was my very first marathon and it was an awesome experience. I have run two LDM 8k's and one 10k. Year after year seeing the runners running down Hwy 60 on our way home, I live in Gold Canyon. I thought I want to do that someday. From the bonfires, the beautiful run down Peralta Trail and all the volunteers along the way, I had the best experience! I told everyone it would be my first and probably last, but it went so well you will see me again!!

Gold Canyon, AZ

Everything was very well organized - best transportation I've ever seen, very fast at the expo (which had good vendors), plenty of aid stations, excellent shirt and medals. All the big things were done right, and the little touches like the Wall and the fires at the start made it extra special.

Miguel - Omaha

Race support was superb; never have I run a race where there were water stations at EVERY MILE!!! Porta pot lines at start were minimal. I loved the egg burritos included with the post race food. Yummee! Driving directions & map to get to start of race were very clear.

Joanne-San Diego

The volunteers were awesome! Super friendly! Expo volunteers were incredible! - he nicest I have met at over 25 marathons. I'm glad I traveled from Minnesota to run the race. Great shirt and medal as well. Nice bling!!!! Perfect organization and a well run event. Great marathon that is sure to be a memorable one for anyone wishing to run 26.2.

Dave Daniels - Lake Elmo, Minnesota

First LDM....everything was awesome....thanks for the experience!

Jesse Bautista-Tucson, AZ.

Absolutely love this race. The course is awesome and everything from registration to post-race food is very well organized. The volunteers ROCK! Especially the Girl Scouts handing out cookies!

Carla Bernard - Chandler, AZ

The warming bus at the start was outstanding!

Deborah Gobins Phoenix, AZ

Being a member of the 50/50 club and having some smaller races to compare, I have to say, for the 600 full-marathon size, this race was one of my favorites. Having the first 7 miles be run on gravel through a desert-like atmostphere made it very enjoyable. Seeing all the cacti during this section, I didn't need to make a special trip to Saguaro National Park since this setting was very comparable. The mountain scenery at the staring line was breathtaking. I made a drive out the following day to share this surrounding with my wife and enjoyed it even more. The coolest part of the race was "The Wall". Being right at mile marker 24 gave me some additional mo-jo I was lacking due to hitting my wall a litter earlier. The local volunteers were very much appreciated as well. Seeing the liquid stands cheering you on and the local law officers maintaining traffic control along with runner cheering made me enjoy every mile.

Matt Mancini - Douglassville, PA

What a great race! Well-organized, beautiful course with fantastic support. I'm recommending to all fellow runners for next year.

Christine Eley

If you dont like the big races like rock and roll marathons then this is a good race for you.

Ethan barnes- Chandler AZ

Great event! well organized, Beautiful course, perfect weather!! I will be back next year with friends!

Gilbert

Lost Dutchman is a beautiful course, great fun and good organization. The people of Arizona are a joy to be around. We had a marvelous stay at the Gold Canyon Resort, weather was tremendous I would highly recommend the Lost Dutchman to anyone. The Phoenix, Mesa, Gold Canyon area just totally exceeded all expectations. We look forward to returning.

The Ho's-North Little Rock, AR

This was my first LDM (completed the half) and was very impressed and satisfied. It's considered a small race but has a very good attendance. Will difinitely recommend and planning on bringing my husband next year. Thank you to all the volunteers and organizer for a job well done!

Ruth Turner - Washington, DC

Feedback Welcome

We welcome and encourage your feedback on our event.  We read everything and seriously consider all advice and criticism with the objective of making the Lost Dutchman Marathon better every year.

Nearly all feedback is published to our web site, however we may not post angry comments about specific isolated instances or those strictly offering advice. Editing is limited to cosmetic changes.

Grady McEachern - Race Director