This was my first-ever marathon. All my friends thought I was crazy and when I got to the drop-off for the race, I met people there who even thought I was crazy! And they were running it as well. The difference is: I did not train for this really at all. The farthest I had run was 5 miles before this. Although I did not finish, I ran 13 miles and walked 2 because of an injured foot. And I did it in 3.5 hours. This course you definitely want to train for! But I will be back next year to run the 1/2, since I basically did that this year. It was an awesome experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything. The one word of advice I have is: don't forget to wear your deoderant! I forgot and by mile 8 my armpits hurt so bad that I tried putting Carb Boom under them thinking the gel-like substance would lubricate me. Wrong! It made me sticky! I had to wash it off with what little water I had. But still, all in all, this was a great course and run very efficiently. Love the camp fires! Scenery was wonderful and volunteers were great! I will run this again, and next time I will have trained!

I ran the Lost Dutchman Marathon again this year and was, as always, thoroughly impressed. The course is spectacular, nestled at the base of the Superstition Mountains. The organizers were energetic and friendly. Great race support from the volunteers. The expo is growing and getting better every year. I would definitely recommend it to everyone.

The screw up at mile two of the half marathon is inexcusable. It's not the extra mile that is the biggest problem. Sending 200+ runners on an open public road could have led to a disaster.

They made a public apology and seem to be dealing well with the situation. Therefore I'm sure this won't happen again in this race. This incident shows that a reputation doesn't make up for staying alert and focused.

Efficient start. Small expo. Little support along the course.

Yeah, yeah... I ran the half and was part of the herd that was lead 1.5 miles off course. This being my second Lost Dutchman Half, I knew I was running the wrong way. However, the idea of not having to run the Dutchman's Revenge was enough to convince myself they must have changed the course at the last minute. Wishful thinking! Regardless, I enjoyed the half tremendously. It was a gorgeous day! The support was incredible (love the Purple Ladies... they are always so energetic). As for times not being accurate... oh well! I just feel lucky that I can be out there running in such a beautiful place! This is not a PR course anyway (too hilly). The post-race breakfast burritos and snacks were great... no long lines! The bag drop-off/pick-up was quick! It was a great day! I'm glad my friend invited me to run it with him! It was a blast! Not only that... but got a great 18-mile run in that day (ran 2 miles to get there, then ran about 16 for the race). Life is good!

The course is tough and should not be underrated. The first 6 miles are rolling declines out of the mountains, but that downhill running takes a unique toll. The next 6 miles are fairly flat, but the next 13 miles are either up or down - not just rolling but some on steep hills. I'm a flat-lander and those hills are tough. I enjoy this race and the aid stations are great (thanks, blue ladies) and will run it again. The buses to the start are on time and everyone involved in the race is accommodating. The pasta feed is great and I cannot say enough good things about the race director. Put on by runners, for runners. I'll run it again!

As far as I'm concerned, this race will go down in my "happy memory" book for a long time to come. For such a small race, the organization was wonderful. It was evident in the fun little expo, great shuttle bus service, the pre-race warming campfires, and the friendly, well stocked aid stations. I believe the finish line area was great as well, but I was so elated at my finish that I don't really remember it that well! This was only my second marathon - the first that is a nationally well-known event. The Lost Dutchman was organized just as well, and I really appreciated the great volunteers and everything it took for the organizers to put on such a classy event. The people were very friendly, including the fellow runners. I would definitely recommend this event to others. Oh yes, and the first part of the race through the desert was beautiful! I trained through -35-degree weather for this race, and the destination of warm, sunny Arizona was a wonderful reward!

So the half was inadvertently extended another 2+ miles - it's not the end of the world. I've run the full three times and decided to run the half instead this year. Being familiar with the course, I knew it was "off" and that the damage had been done. Guess what... everyone just kept on going and eventually made it to the finish line.

Most of my friends just chalked it up to having a great distance run on a mild winter day. The camaraderie was still there, as were the water stops, finish-line food-fest, etc. The other events went on without fail.

The race director did not duck out of there; he met people face-to-face, apologized profusely and was limitlessly anguished over the miscue. He addressed it in the website and has offered free entry into next years' event - no questions asked. I'll bet that few will take him up on his offer - esp. anyone who has been running and entering races for awhile. This race has always received well-deserved kudos and this year's will be no different. Everything that was advertised was delivered - as usual - and other than the extension of the half for a few more miles, it was business and hospitality as usual.

Be thankful for your ability to run and to enjoy the great outdoors; what happened was rare, not deliberate, and hopefully not tarnish an otherwise great running event.

The Lost Dutchman is a wonderful marathon. It is very well organized with a very nice "expo," an excellent pasta dinner with a guest speaker talking about the Superstition Mountains, good transportation to the start, a nice pre-start "warm-up" area, plenty of aid-stations, a nice finish-line area, a nice shirt and a good looking medal.

The first 6 miles of the marathon are in the desert and I would have liked to have run more of the race out there. Most of the marathons that I have run have been in urban areas and on city streets. I would have loved to run the entire marathon out in the desert.

I'm sure there will be some half-marathon participants who will submit highly negative comments about this event. It's far less than a fine event like this deserves.

Sadly, a series of circumstances on the half-marathon course at around the second mile caused the lead biker to take most of the field the wrong way. Before runners could be alerted, most had run anywhere from a half to 2 or 3 miles out of their way and were forced to double back an equal distance.

I've run the half marathon for its six years and can attest that the race committee has done an outstanding job in building a local event to the its recognized status as "one of the 10 best small marathons in America." They work year round on their own time to put on a first-class event.

While some will be annoyed or angry (or worse) that their race was "ruined" - and complain to every runner they meet about "what a lousy event this was" - the fact is, things happen and no one feels any worse then the race committee about what happened. For few, if any, who ran it will this be their last half marathon. Life goes on and another race is always on the horizon. For the organizers, this is the culmination of a year's hard work ending in disaster.

I urge the potential writers to this site to consider the comments from runners of past years, the race's past reputation, and the fact that outside of this unfortunate problem, 4 other events plus all the other activities went off without a hitch.

The race directors have apologized and re-apologized. That should be enough. They have offered free entry, no questions asked, to any participant who will accept this as compensation.

I remind those who participated to remember that all money raised is donated to charitable causes. I urge you to consider an apology to be enough, to appreciate but decline their offer, and to, if possible, give them another try.

Consider that some of the best races in the country have been victims of disastrous circumstances and have come back better than ever. These folks will do the same, I assure you. Give them your support. Thanks!

The Lost Dutchman Marathon is a great marathon - a gem. The course gives the runner views of some spectacular Arizona scenery. Great organization, water stations every two miles manned by the friendliest of volunteers, the BEST finisher medal period (!) and great awards are what this marathon offers. Once again, LDM is a gem!