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Apr 28, 2024

Lost Dutchman Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Lost Dutchman Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 142 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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Dotty Maddock from Phoenix, AZ (2/17/2009) "See the REAL Arizona!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I would highly recommend this race, if you're runner who isn't into all of the "hoopla," crowds, and bands and just wants to truly experience the beauty of Arizona. I felt I was transported back to the gold mining days when the bus dropped us off at "Dan's camp" up in the Superstition Mountains at 6:00 a.m. Picture dozens of small campfires (fake logs, but with kindling to supplement) with carpet mats beside them to make pre-dawn warming easy. Then there is the 7:00 a.m. start as the sun is rising, running through the most beautiful desert scenery. I do admit that after the first 6 miles or so there were the typical "highway" stretches, but the course was broken up by running through some communities and other diversions. It would have been helpful to have different types of cups for water versus Gatorade, so it was easier to get what you wanted. The finisher's medal is VERY nice, but the long-sleeve cotton shirt is not anything remarkable (I'm still trying to figure out what some of the design is supposed to be). The post-race food was good (look for the yummy warm egg burritos!). Finally, they were a little slow posting the marathon results (in my opinion) and there were no Mylar blankets or anything to keep from getting chilled. Since you are about a mile away from where you park your car (there are shuttles), I left before learning I earned an age group award. If you have family meet you or use drop bags with warmer clothing from the start, that would solve that problem. They let you pick up age group awards later, but they don't offer any option for shipping them to you. So there are some areas where I see room for improvement, but overall this was well organized, and the pre-race scene and first few miles make it very memorable.
M. G. from Scottsdale, AZ (2/16/2009) "This little gem shines bright!" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Lost Dutchman Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Eight years in the books; eight years of great results. This race gets (and deserves) great reviews every year and that's why it continues to grow. The course is challenging but fair. Scenery is terrific. Volunteers are awesome. Post-race "banquet" still delivers (thanks for the signature breakfast burritos again). Nice balance of 2-milers, 8K, 10K, half and full entrants. Very cool medal. Race course is well-marked. All races start on time. AZ winter weather is cool and sunny. Entry fees are priced right. A perfect race that is big and small enough at the same time - I'll be back for #9 next year.
Mel Schultz from Phoenix AZ (2/16/2009) "Can't beat this small marathon" (about: 2009) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Lost Dutchman Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Any runner who desires to do a Western marathon must do this one. Breathtaking start area, with warming camp fires, sunrise on the Suarro cactus, the sun starting its display on the huge vertical cliffs... even the first six miles on winding Peralta dirt are magical. Then there is the course itself, with rolling, minor hills and the nicest volunteers anywhere to greet and serve you. Fans are few in the desert but seem full of energy and cheer you on. The race officials are the very best and worthy of your praise and thanks. The finish area has fine snacks and even burritos for you. The finish medals are the finest I have ever received in 50-plus marathons and even have a moving center. Runner's World said this was one of the best ten little marathons. They were wrong; this is the best small marathon.
C. S. from California (2/15/2009) "Wonderful Little Race!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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.
J. L. from Scottsdale, AZ (12/17/2008) "Fantastic, small, scenic, hilly race" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.
T. T. from colorado springs (3/31/2008) "Challenging but worth it." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 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.
B. W. from Winter Park, FL (3/27/2008) "Great start, hard hills, nice finish" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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!
M. A. from Chandler, AZ (3/12/2008) "Commenting on the 1/2 marathon" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 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.
R. E. from Chicago (2/28/2008) "The race was wonderful. Organizers were terrific." (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 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.
M. P. from Oak Harbor, Washington (2/25/2008) "Fantastic event from expo to awards ceremony!" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.

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