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Apr 28, 2024

Lost Dutchman Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.6

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.8

Number of comments: 142 [displaying comments 61 to 71]

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K. D. from Phoenix, AZ (2/17/2008) "Great race! Gorgeous desert and amazing volunteers" (about: 2008) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Lost Dutchman Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The first 7 miles of the Dutchman are worth the entire 26.2 just for the scenery; pristine Sonoran Desert and dirt road. Bliss. Love the firelight starting area too. This was my 1st ('07) and 2nd ('08) marathon and I will likely do it again. Super friendly, enthusiastic volunteers the entire way. Superb organization. Beautiful and unique medals. Challenging gentle hills the whole way. Coyote chorus in the morning. Only negative on this course is the 2 one-mile stretches along the freeway (noisy, stinky), but tolerable. Do it if you can! A nice time of year in Phoenix, plus Renaissance Fair just up the road. FUN!
M. G. from Scottsdale, AZ (2/17/2008) "Arizona's and America's perfect small marathon" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Lost Dutchman Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Another incredibly friendly race staged by the Lost Dutchman crew. THIS is your Arizona destination marathon. You will not find friendlier volunteers anywhere. You will see Arizona's desert splendor. You will have the chance to return to your running roots - a race devoid of broad commercialism. This race's simplicity and charm are genuine and you feel it every step of the way. Pre-race transport is easy and well-managed. Pre-race mini-bonfires make the early chill more than bearable. Abundant porta-johns, pre-race beverages, snacks, etc. are at hand. The race starts on time. The first six miles are on packed dirt. This year it was a bit muddy (and communicated to us through updates on the website) but doable. Then it's a mix of gravel, pavement, and some areas of just plain dirt; definitely rural in nature. Water stops are manned by THE friendliest folk you'll ever meet - they cheer you on and hand out fluids as needed. Gatorade was mixed properly throughout and gels were given out at two stops. Bananas and doughnuts were also available on the course. Mile markers are easy to read but there are no time clocks on the course. There are many hills, including one big one (only a tenth of a mile in length) at mile 23, but there are many stretches of declines all throughout. It gives your muscles a chance to rely on other muscle groups - the variety of ups and downs actually help produce great finishing times. Many BQ here. Finish line area is wide open. Other finishers from the 1 miler, 5K, 8K, 10K, and half add to the festivities at the end. Post-race food is great: potato/egg burritos, fruit, yogurt, cookies, pretzels, chips, etc. are handed out by more friendly folks. An awards ceremony takes place nearby. Bag retrieval is a breeze. The finisher's medal is outstanding. This race draws a lot of out-of-towners, and for good reason - it's worth running. There are many repeaters here because of its intimate feel and straight-forward organization. Definitely put this on your winter-destination calendar. You will have a great experience in the Arizona sun.
A. N. from Dover, NH (9/3/2007) "It was 60 degrees colder back home on race day" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Yeah, I was one of the runners in the half marathon that got led astray, but I can't wait to do the marathon in 2008, and bring back the burritos!
Shannon McDonald from Apache Junction, AZ (5/30/2007) "Wow! This one isn't for wimps!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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!
D. H. from Tempe, Arizona (3/10/2007) "Best Marathon in Arizona" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Lost Dutchman Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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.
E. N. from Phoenix (2/25/2007) "Half-marathon disaster" (about: 2007) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 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.
T. M. from Casa Grande, AZ (2/24/2007) "LOVE THE HALF MARATHON" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Lost Dutchman Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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!
J. F. from Florida (2/23/2007) "Tough Course/Well Organized" (about: 2007) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Lost Dutchman Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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!
Gloria Desjardine from Bloomington, MN (2/22/2007) "I loved this little race!!" (about: 2007) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 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!
Mark Gershman from Scottsdale, AZ (2/21/2007) "Despite the snafu, it's still a great event" (about: 2007) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Lost Dutchman Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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.

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