I returned for the second installment of the Lost Dutchman Marathon, and the race came across almost as well as last year's. Of course, knowing how well run the event was last year in its inaugural running, it is mostly difficult to imagine tht the second edition would be able to increasingly improve from last year's events.

Improvements: A new half-mile stretch in a new neighborhood off of King's Ranch Road, shortening the old course's loop through prospector's park. Better food selection for post-race festivities. A better Marathon Expo, at the Gold Canyon Resort, with more sponsors and exhibits.
Worse: Lack of split time readers at several marathon stations. No person handing out water to runners as they cross the line, and having to walk 150 feet to find any. The massage therapists setting up at 7:30 before any of the races had finished, and leaving at 12:30, before less than half the marathoners had crossed the finish line.

Overall, it was still a great experience, but the race director needs to critique the individual who arranged the massage therapy time schedule, and the post-race water distribution system. Check this marathon out if the big crowds at RnR AZ are not your style.

Thank you Apache Junction for a top notch event! Obvious pride and thought was evident in every aspect of and throughout the entire event. Gorgeous scenery, fabulous volunteers - from bus drivers to water stations, terrific finish line - from spectators to commentator, and a generous and nice awards ceremony. Oh - and the medallion, awesome! If one was to dig deep for a suggestion for improvement -- it might be to move the awards ceremony closer to the finish line. THAT's how great this inaugural race was -- very impressive. I'm so glad I chose Apache Junction Marathon for my AZ marathon.

I wished I would have taken my camera!! The Sunrise on the Superstition Mountains was very spectacular! What a great marathon and the honor of running the very first one is also special. The medal is heavy and very colorful. I echo the comments on 'best/prettiest' medal. It rivals the Portland, OR Marathon medal. The only complaint would be the water before the power drink at the aid stations. But that will be fixed for next year. It was amazing to see runners from all over including Japan and England for the inaugural running. Lots of enthusiastic runners. Good transportation to the start line. Enjoyed the first 6 miles of 'dirt' road. The race director told us at the start, that the locals were very happy with us, because the county graded the road and it was in it's best condition ever! Very smooth bus ride up to the start. The Superstitions were 'within sight' for most of the race. The finish line was set up so that the finisher pictures would have the Superstition Mountains behind the runner. That should make a great finishers picture. Missed having my name announced at the finish. I would highly recommend this marathon to every one. This was my Arizona Marathon for the 50 States and 50 States + DC checkoff list.

Now that Arizona is starting to offer choices to runners for a Marathon, I would rank this Marathon as #1. It is hard to believe this was the first year, since the organization was fantastic. I enjoyed the scenery of the Superstition Mountains, the rolling hill terrain, and the variety of the course with both dirt and paved roads.

I will be there for next year.

I have been running for less than 2 years but the inaugural Lost Dutchman Marathon was my 5th. This was my first trip to Arizona. I drove the course the day before the race. The course is very scenic and running through a cactus forest was just beautiful in the early morning hours. All dirt roads were graded and sprinkled and cones were laid out throughout the course, runners were well protected from traffic. The course was well marked, aid stations were plentiful and the moral support was top notch from all volunteers and spectators along the way. Yes there are some hills between miles 20 and 24, including the 'unnamed hill' at mile 23, but this type of challenge is what marathoning is all about. I encourage anyone looking for a great winter getaway to put this one on their calendar for next year. The finisher medal is the most beautiful and unique one in my collection. I have read everyone else comments and they sum it all up. I will be back next year.

This brand new marathon has got their act together... It is well organized and there are tons of little touches that make up for the very few spectators you'll run by. The water stations are plentiful, and staffed by extremely supportive and enthusiastic volunteers. The scenery rarely quits; the Superstition Mountains and surrounding desertscapes boast incredible beauty. The brilliant sunshine takes away the chills but provides enough warmth on your back to keep you going. The transportation to and from are efficient and easy..there are guides and volunteers everywhere to help you out with anything. If they don't have the answers, they get on their walkie-talkies immediately to find out exactly the right one. There are several elevation changes and you'll run on graded dirt roads, pavement, gravel, and even grass at the end. While there are a few uphills, it's nothing that's overwhelming...you are rewarded with a lot of downhill stretches, again nothing that will kill your quads, but will keep you moving at a nice clip. Even the emcee at the finish line takes time to announce every single finisher. There were prerace mini-bonfires set up and the announcer also took time to announce the storied runners from all over the country citing # of marathons run, older runners, those that have run all 50 states, things like that. Do yourself a favor and start looking at races like this one...they're more intimate in scope, but are very well run and organized. Anyone can put a flat-course race together, but these folks put together scenery, variety, and warm personality all into one very fine race. Put this new race on your calendar when you're looking to put some freshness into your running schedule.

Gorgeous desert scenery throughout the course. Course partly on gravel and partly on asphalt roads with some rolling hills, mostly in the second half. Flawless organization by people who obviously love what they do. Pavement markings and volunteers provided clear directions throughout the course. Plenty of water and Ultima stations were available along the course and plenty of food was there at the finish. Buses from the parking area to the start and from the finish back to the parking operated very efficiently with minimal waiting. The finishers medal is one of the most beautiful I have seen in my 30 events. Champion Chip timing which is unusual for a marathon of that small size was provided and the full event results were on line the evening of the marathon. Lack of crowd support was not missed at all in the middle of the desert. You go to such a place to see the wonders of nature and not for the big crowds. It was an exhilerating experience. Glad I went.

I was late getting in and didn't make the Expo (for which the times were not given on the website). This was my only disappointment. The busses to the start ran on time and there were plenty of them. We were bussed to the top of a mountain trail where we were treated to small bonfires to keep us warm while we waited for the start. There was a bus for loading our belongings available. The first 5-6 miles of the marathon was down the trail which was a little rocky but mostly hardpacked. Some of the race was on a heavily traveled road but cones were placed so that runners had an entire lane plus the paved shoulder. There were cones along most of the route which really helped slower runners stay on the course! There were more hills than I had anticipated - and an especially challenging hill around mile 22. The water stops were well maintained and a terrific group of kids (the young marines) called times for us at nearly every mile marker! The t-shirt wasn't anything special but the medallion was one of the prettiest I have collected. Personally, I loved this race - the beauty and commitment of the race staff - and would recommend it to my fellow runners. Crowd support was minimal but I'll take peace and beauty over that any day!

The Lost Dutchman Marathon occured on January 20th, 2002 for its Inaugural Running, and everything from the event organization to the post-race festivities was a triumph. The course was an extremely challenging, yet spectacularly beautiful course. The organization of the race was nearly perfect for an event in its first year. The spectators and aid stations were well-placed, and extremely helpful during the course of the race.

The Lost Dutchman course was perhaps the most scenic and beautiful course any runner could run during their lifetime. After a 35 minute bus ride to the Peralta Trailhead, marathoners were left at the startline in a large circular area with the beautiful superstition mountains in the immediate background. The course winds through the Trailhead back to the 60, visits the new communities around King's Ranch Road, Gold Canyon resorts, and along lost dutchman. Hills are frequent in the second half, and particularly nasty from miles 18 to 23. Runners will feel every muscle and strand in their bodies over the last few miles, with the race finishing in Prospector Park, down a 1/10 mile stretch to the finish line.

Race organization was nearly flawless. Course organizers packed and cleared the dirt trail sections of the course, while the barracading company and the Apache Junction Police regulated traffic flow during the event. Aid stations and portapotties were every two miles along the race. Post-race festivities and awards flowed well, although marathon finishers probably needed more food choices than chips, bananas, bagels, and cookies.

Spectators along the course were very supportive. The Superstition Springs community was very prevelant and supportive at aid stations, and randomly located around the course. The young marines were exemplrary, announcing mile times to each competitor at the mile splits, as well as working at several aid stations. The Renaissance Festival had a troupe of its characters there, hollering and coaxing along the tired marathoners halfway through the course, and near the finish gate.

All things considered, this was the best 'smaller marathon' event I have ever done, or will likely ever do. The event should be brought back for next year, and hopefully turnout will increase for next year.