What a fantastic marathon! If you are looking for a challenging, scenic, well run marathon, the Lost Dutchman is it! Dutchman was my 25th marathon and I loved every part of it. You will get all the extra attention that large races can not provide. Great volunteers, and homemade pastries at the start with coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade and warming fires! Buses ran like clockwork: aid every 2 miles, and tons of enthusiastic volunteers! Spectacular medal and long sleeve T-shirt, and tons of food at the finish. Cannot be improved! Just train on hills; there are tons of them and they are difficult, but the scenery takes away the pain.

The 1/2 marathon course is awesome. After taking a few left turns, you are watching the sunrise come over the mountains with a small amount of mist in the air - incredible. It rained the night before, but the dirt roads were well packed and there was no mud on the course at all. This was probably the most challenging half that I've run, but the energy and beauty of the course somehow allowed me a PR. Overall, great experience and I will definitely come back.

This marathon has been on my wish list since it first started. The course sounded really pretty and the medals were always cool when I looked online. This year, I finally got a chance to run the marathon and it was worth it.

I have to second all of the comments about the organization. I've run larger marathons that need to take some lessons about the busing to the start. The fires at the start and the carpet to sit on was much better then milling around cans with a small fire at the bottom to stay warm. No issues with bathrooms or anything at the staging area for the marathon. From my perspective, everything went smoothly.

The run back down the trail was the best part of the race. The sunrise on the mountains, and the colors in the sky were worth waiting around for - and running a little slowly to enjoy. This was also a challenging course because of the hills. Not only the long, long hills and the "Dutchman's revenge," but also the little washes the sprinkled the course. I thought those made the race more challenging because you could never get into a good rhythm. But that's what the roads are like in AZ - expect it. There were a lot of dirt roads, so I felt that we were lucky to have the rain. They made the running surface easier and the footing much better.

The only issue that I had was that since the half marathon was out-and-back on the course, I kept running into the slower half runners. Not a big deal, but not all of them were paying attention to upcoming traffic and the course was a little crowded.

All in all, the was a great race. I haven't done many over again, but this is one that I would repeat if given the chance.

The camp fires and hot beverages at the start were great. Plenty of port-a-potties, too. Recent rains made the first few miles more like a trail run, but the organizers can't control the weather. They diligently inspected the course up to just a few hours before the start. One of the great small marathons. Good job, race director!

If you're looking for a small follow-up to PF Chang's, this is it but be prepared. This course resembled more of a motorcycle trail road at some points. Paved in the beginning, dirt/mud (from recent rains), a little taste of the "Dutchman's Revenge" hill on the way out (remembering you have to scale this thing on the way back), more little up and down bluffs, then a nice steady 1-mile climb or so to the halfway turnaround point. The "Dutchman's Revenge" hill sits with a taunting "10 mile" marker at the summit - get by that and you're home free!

Volunteers were wonderful, although I found the staging area a little unorganized. No food/water setup until nearly the start of the race and folks just kind of milling about with no real assembly area.

Overall, a great race that I will return for next year. Can't beat the scenery but be prepared for the dirt/hills.

Although this was one of the smallest marathons that I have ever done, this was the best one. The bus ride to the start line,and the little fires for everyone to stay warm are two things I will always remember. The organizers of this race should be commended.

This was a fantastic race! It was very well organized and supported. There were plenty of aid/drink stations and the volunteers were outstanding. Transportation to the starting line was set-up quite well and so was the bag drop. I really appreciated the small mesquite warming fires; they created a truly memorable scene. Actually, those small fires followed by a wonderful sunrise and the Peralta Trail really charged me up for the many miles ahead. The course was in great shape despite some rain a couple days earlier. Kudos to the crew that made that happen. Lastly, thanks for an OUSTANDING race and I'm looking forward to doing it again someday soon.

I really enjoyed this marathon. I picked it solely on location (close to California) and date - needed to be President's Weekend. What I got in return was my favorite marathon to date.

I initially intended it as a training run for my next marathon in April in Japan, but I was feeling so great at 20 miles, that I went for a Boston qualifying time of 3:20 or better - and I hit 3:19.

The organization was great. Water stops were well stocked and numerous. There were small camp fires and blankets at the start to keep warm and get ready. There were almost more port-a-potties at the start than the other two major marathons I have run. Certainly more per runner (300 total).

The website was kept up-to-date as there was some concern that they would need to use a different course due to rains on the trail portion the week before. You really know something is well organized when there is a solid back-up plan. As it turns out, this wasn't necessary, which is great because the course is very pretty at the beginning. It's a bit hilly - up and down after a nice downhill - so it's a bit of challenge. Not as steep as others, but definitely a course that you need something for the end.

The medal is great. Lines for food at the end were a bit long, but it was ok.

Despite being a small marathon, there were fans around most of the course. They were cheering and encouraging.

Overall, highly recommended and of course I have great memories of qualifying for Boston.

This was the smallest marathon I've ever done, but I had the most exciting time and set a new PR in the process. Everyone was super nice and the fires at the start line were incredibly cool - like going on a camping trip with running, the best kind. There was the perfect amount and kinds of food at the finish and along the course. Next year, though, get a new kind of gel to hand out; that stuff was yeeech. And a few more bathrooms. Great marathon!!!!! Will return some year.

Gold Canyon may not be Sedona, but there is an undeniable spiritual feeling about the Superstition Mountains. The starting line in the hills near Peralta Trailhead, was not the mass of humanity such as I experienced at PFC last month. These folks doing the Dutchman love to run. 300+ runners enjoying a diverse course through mountain roads and neighboring communities. It was a challenge, but with such views to divert the mind, the feat is completed with a smile. It is well organized and the few spectators along the way were full of energy. I am proud to say I live here and welcome visitors to run with us again next year.