Lost Dutchman Marathon Events

Runner Comments and Feedback

Lost Dutchman Marathon 2011

We think Lost Dutchman Marathon is a terrific event, but don't just take our word for it. Every year we get lots of positive feedback. See what runners from around the country have had to say about our race.

2011 Feedback

I absolutely love your race - starting from the cookies at the expo; the easy-to-hear pre-race announcements and plenty of porta-potties; the on-course markings and support personnel; to the post-race medals, great food, and FAST posting of race results. And I don't want to forget the easy and fast clothing drop-off and pick-up, and parking/shuttle service. From start to finish - what a great race you put on. God bless all your volunteers!!

Vicki King - Towanda,IL

This is an absolutely phenomenal event. Where do I sign up for next year?

Tom

There are great races out there and then there are races you love; LDM is that race. Year after year the hospitality and staging never disappoint. Entrants are kept updated via the website and Facebook without fail. The famous burritos and post-race 'buffet' are second-to-none. Races start on time, miles are well-marked, and the scenery offers spectacular vistas. Add an army of friendly volunteers and you have the ultimate winter and AZ destination race. Kudos to an outstanding event; all your hard work does not go unnoticed and is appreciated by all!

Mark Gershman - Scottsdale, AZ

This was my first experience with the Lost Dutchman, but it definitely won't be my last!! The course was beautiful! I especially loved the first 6 miles on Peralta Trail Rd. It was cool to run through the a desert landscape as the sun was rising. The landscape throughout the course was awesome! Running with the Superstition Mountains nearby was a thrill especially compared to my usual hometown landscape in Indiana :) Everyone was soooo nice!! Rick, from the race board took me under his wing after the race and made me feel like a queen making sure I had everything I needed and more! Debra, who was the cyclist who rode near me was awesome. From about 16 miles on, Debra told people my name and that I was in the lead so that people cheered for me by name. Hearing people cheer for me (special props for the Girl Scout Water Stop and their chant) as I started to tire was inspiring to keep pushing! The framed photo of Flat Iron Mesa and desert landscape is the nicest award I have ever gotten! It is beautiful and a cool award that is also something I will enjoy hanging up in my house! Kudos to whoever thought of that for awards. Everything was great! I loved the fires and mats to sit on at the top. The medals and shirts are great! All of the people I met were super nice and helpful! Lost Dutchman is truly a fantastic race that should be everyone's list of must do races!

Traci Falbo - Charlestown, IN

Extremely well organized and fun event. Thank you so much to all the organizers and volunteers. The water stations were awesome!

Dean - Letgbridge, AB

A well organized event that I plan on returning to through out the years. Scenery was beautiful - even on a rainy day. Enjoyed being able to catch my race time on the monitors- much easier than searching through tapped up papers. Will be testing out 1/2 marathon next year!

Ashley

Love, love, love this event. Great course, great support, awesome post-race refreshments. The breakfast burritos make the event so special! Thank you for a great day!

CJ Coppola - Mesa, AZ

Great race even with threatening weather! The race was awesome as usual! Next year I need to register earlier! No complaints! Your group puts on a first class event!

Andy W - Gilbert, AZ

Had a wonderful time at the race today. Thank you!

Sharon P - San Tan Valley, AZ

Volunteers were awesome and great Event management.

Everything was great! Really liked the timing between events; much better than being packed in like sardines at the large events I've done!

Beautiful scenery, lovely race, highly recommend!

Jen

Great race. I will never do P.F. Chang in Phoenix after doing this race. Less people and fast shuttle service. I was very impressed!

Lisa

Best Local Marathon! Wow, what a great marathon, awesome medal, great start, warm buses, lots of friendly people. I really enjoyed seeing the Girl Scouts at Mile 21, they helped to lift my spirits with cheers. The finish was great, and the burritos were a nice touch. I will definitely come back next year!

Michael Feraldi - Apache Junction, AZ

Good server good people fun run see you next year

Ethan - Chandler, AZ

A well organized and thought out venue. A great race to put your marathon skills to test!

Got my PR for the half, very nice course with spectacular views. VERY kind volunteers and town support of the runners. Winter running, with a touch of summer ...we'll be baaaaccck!

Julie Chagnon - Colorado Springs, CO

This is a great race!!! The volunteers are always so nice and helpful. This is number 8 for me and it is a favorite-great course and you do a great job putting it on. Thank you!

Kate McCarville - Phoeniz, AZ

I love this race! It was my first full marathon run and it couldn't have been better. The volunteers that make this race possible are outstanding. Thank you for a great race experience!!!

Diana Dunkle - Scottsdale, AZ

Very well organized race. Too bad the 8k trail race was rained out but still had an awesome time! Great volunteers and the race was not too large. The desert scenery was beautiful and not all the smog you have in other races in the metro Phoenix area. Food and drink after the race was fantastic. Already planning to sign up for next year.

Rebecca H - Mesa AZ

Had a great time. I am looking forward to next year already. Thank You.

Michael

I loved this race! It was my first marathon and I want to do it again next year. The communication regarding the weather was outstanding and helped me dress for the conditions. The volunteers were amazing, especially at the end of the race; a woman brought up some recovery drink and helped me get some food. I think that the whole team did a phenomenal job adapting to rather unpredictable weather. Thank you so much for making my first marathon a memory that will last a lifetime. This is an incredible race with perfect logistics, great volunteers and a challenging, but doable course. It was the perfect race for someone like me who is running their first marathon. Way to go, guys you did a great job.

Bill Salvin - Cave Creek, AZ

Very glad I did this as my first marathon, everything was very well organized and the scenery was fantastic.

The most gorgeous run/race I have ever done. I finished the PF Changs one month prior to the Lost Dutchman and this far exceeds the PF Changs. As long as I stay healthy enough to run endurance distances the LDM will always be my first pick. Thank You to all the Volunteers that made this a complete success!

Alyssa Busby

This Race was made by the wonderful Volunteers and the City of Apache Junction. Very well organized and put together. We will be back next year.

An excellent race from start to finish.

Bethany

Loved this race! It's not "easy", but it sure was beautiful & the people (racers/staff/vounteers alike) were all friendly. Wound plan on this again for sure! Thanks LD for making my 1st marathon the best!

Syndie - Cave Creek, AZ

This was my second marathon - first was Whiskey Row in Prescott. This race has beautiful scenery and lots of friendly volunteers along the way. I appreciated the frequent water stations. The starting area was unique - with small fires to keep warm by. We

Jeanine Schmidt - Gilbert, AZ

What a super fun event! I specifically loved the course itself. The first half of the half marathon is a gradual incline, but you wouldn't know it because it's rolling hills. When the volunteer at the turn-around point yelled to me, "It's all downhill

Suzanne Reinert - Phoenix, AZ

The course was spectacular, the organization was superb, and the volunteers were awesome!

Kyle Irwin

I Love your race! You have the friendliest and most wonderful volunteers! Thank you!

Brenda S.

I felt the weather was perfect -- nice and cool! The route was scenic and challenging enough to keep it interesting. Lots of room, even with runners going both ways. Virtually no wait time for bus transporting, very helpful volunteers.

Shedsy

I had a blast running the LDM!!! Ample, clean, well stocked toilets were appreciated! Just experiencing the start of the marathon was worth the registration fee! Great volunteers, well organized, all my needs as a runner were met and surpassed! I will be back!

Excellent race, great volunteers, perfect organization! Now, let's hope for better weather next year...

Dan Foster - Sierra Vista, AZ

This was an amazing well put together run. Can not wait to run it again next year!

Shannon Evans - Scottsdale, AZ

Overall great race! I enjoy the smaller races so this one was the right size for me. I traveled from Chicago and chose to run the half, as it's very difficult to train in the Chicago winter. This was my first Lost Dutchman. I chose this one over the RocknRoll AZ one. I've ran 2 RocknRolls before but I've done better in smaller races and they are more enjoyable. Well-organized event, course was pleasant w/ nice ample volunteers at almost every mile, on road, rolling hills but the downhills made up for the uphills and I PRed today, cutting 4 min off my best time from last year at the Chicago Half Marathon. Good mix of post-race food and there was enough, line wasn't too long. Fun atmosphere afterwards also - got my picture taken w/ an old man and a mule - which was a riot - posted pic on Facebook immediately after race! Not too far a walk from the car to race start. Weather was perfect for Chicagoan - was 50 degrees and cloudy, a little mist at the end of the race made for perfect running weather. I would run this again - may run the Full marathon next year if I'm able to get training in, just to experience that, otherwise, will probably be back for the Half again. :)

Jackie - Chicago, IL

The most amazing marathon experience! The staff, volunteers, supporters and scenic race rout made this a spectacular event! It is a must run! See you in 2012!

Ramon Medina - Phoenix, AZ

Excellent race even with the cooler weather. Thank you!! I will be back and this will be one of my favorites. Great volunteers on the course. One highlight was the water station that had girl scout cookies! What a fun treat!!

Karen Robinson - Chandler, AZ

Thank you for such a great, well organized race. I just started running again about 7 months ago and this was my first marathon in years. I will certainly return to run this race. The course was a bit challenging and the views were incredible and this was the exact type of race I was looking forward to running. I can't say enough good things about this marathon...and it was honestly the great comments that you've posted from runners from past years that really made up my mind to run this. Overall, great job to you all and thank you.

Deron R - El Mirage, AZ

After reading some review on this Marathon, I decided to participate to the 2011 event and I was not disappointed at all. Great Organization, the first 6 miles trail between the cactus are just surreal. The fire camp before the start is a good idea. I live in New York and I will travel again; this is a very good Marathon.

Stephane Maisonneuve, New York, NY

Last year I participated in the LD 10k as it fit in my training schedule for a later half-marathon. After spending the last year attending quite a few races, I knew I had to come back for the half marathon. I am so glad I did! I love the everything about this event. The pre-race communication, race day set-up, and volunteer help are all amazing. But the star is the course. Even on an overcast day this course was amazing. This year was my PR and I know it was because I was having so much fun. Thanks so much. I cannot wait until next year.

Amanda Boysun - Tucson, AZ

Very well organized! Loved the campfires at the start, watching the sun rise over the desert. Beautiful, scenic - for folks like me, who haven't visited true desert surroundings - it is the best way to experience it up close and personal. Terrific support at the aid stations - truly appreciate your volunteers. Thanks Lost Dutchman - a great run.

Steve - Louisiana

Thank you again for a wonderful experience. I had to switch from the half to the 8k due to lack of training and you made it so easy! The expo and packet pick-up was well organized. Due to rain the trail run was changed to the road which was handled very well even if congested at times. Thank you for the great volunteers and wonderful scenery and hospitality of Apache Junction!

Marina

Love the little campfires...can't beat a race with such scenic views, so well supported, readily available shuttles to and fro...and oh yeah...and virtually no line for the port-a-johns!

I absolutely loved this race! I ran a marathon PR of 3:58 but felt like it was a very challenging course. The volunteers were the best I have ever encountered from packet pick-up to finish. The camp fire start was fantastic!! Thanks for putting on such a great race.

Chris Wilroy - Scottsdale, AZ

Terrific job by everyone involved in putting on this event. I had feared it would be difficult getting in and out of the area, and I was pleasantly surprised. (It wasn't.) Medal for the 10K was quite nice, and the volunteers ALL were friendly. This is a premier event for runners!

Doug Carroll - Chandler, AZ

I look forward to this race every year. I just wish you would do more races during the year. More trail races. That way you don't have to shut down any roads. And change up the metals. So when you get first in your age group in the 8k ( like i did last year) or third in your age group in the 10k ( like i did this year). Have them say 1st., 2nd., or 3rd. Last year it was the same medal. Just not painted. But over all i love this race. I would run it every weekend if you had it. In fact my friend Jen and i train on the 8k trail four days a week. Rain and 32. Or sunny and 110. Thank you

Jim Wagner - Apache Junction, AZ

Extremely well organized race, beautiful setting, I can't wait until next year!

Matthew Clark - Queen Creek, AZ

This was an excellent race and course. My second Lost Dutchman race and not my last. The scenery was outstanding and the support was perfect. The best race in the Valley! Thanks again for an outstanding event! Can't wait for 2012

Tracey

LOVED the logs at the start for warmth- so much smarter than those big space heaters!!! Volunteers were awesome, they were enthusiastic and friendly. Well spaced aid stations - very organized! This felt like a big marathon in the areas of organization and communication (excellent on both counts), but a small race in terms of how well it was run (loved not having to dodge people for miles!!).

Holly Justice - Tuscon, AZ

You guys and gals rock! I also like that you limit the number of runners for each race; the smallness of this marathon adds to its distinction. How you ever managed to get the events set up and staged with the wicked weather we had the day before the race is a mystery to me. I thank all of you for continuing to make this my very favorite of all the races I participate in!

LuAnn Hauser - Gold Canyon, AZ

I also like that you limit the number of runners for each race; the smallness of this marathon adds to its distinction.

Douglas Coleman - Apache Junction, AZ

How you ever managed to get the events set up and staged with the wicked weather we had the day before the race is a mystery to me. I thank all of you for continuing to make this my very favorite of all the races I participate in!

Jason

The volunteers did an outstanding job! Congratulations to everyone for another outstanding year.

Luke Sigrist - Mesa, AZ

This was my first time running in this event. It was well organized and the volunteers were awesome. Count me in for next year!

Edward Sanchez - Mesa, AZ

Amazing Marathon. This was most amazing marathon I have participated in. The staff, volunteers, supporters and scenic race rout made for a spectacular experience! It's a must run! See you in 2012!

Ramon Medina - Phoenix, AZ

This is a course I always have trouble with, but you all do everything so well that I'll keep coming back as long as my body will allow. Thank you for putting on a terrific event. I had made a comment last year that there were a lot of 1/2 marathoners walking 3, 4 wide which made it difficult to weave through towards the end, and this year it wasn't an issue at all. Thanks for that, keep up the great work and see you in 2012.

Chad Getchell - Las Vegas, NV

I absolutely loved the starting line campfires and the great people I got to chat with as a result of they way it was organized. The first 6 miles were the most breathtaking of a beautiful course that makes me question whether I will ever run a Rock Roll marathon again! I also want to mention that the volunteers at all but 1 aid station were AMAZING. They were encouraging and sweet and smiling and gave you that little boost you needed. Thanks again...I had a great 1st marathon experience!!

Tamara K - Tempe, AZ

My 9-year-old son is a novice runner and with the 8K Lost Dutchman being his longest distance to have conquered so far, I just want to thank the race coordinators for making this so memorable for my son. Of all the races, he really smiled the most not only for completing the race, but the food, accommodations, and running under the brick passage for the photograph. This race is definitely like no others we have been in as it adds a personal touch and rarity. Thank you for making this experience memorable as we look forward to Lost Dutchman next year.

Tiffiny Shilow - Phoenix, AZ

Thank you for a great experience for my first marathon. I can cross it off my bucket list now. I plan on next year. Not sure if I'll run the 1/2 or the 10k which I ran in 2010. Very well organized the volunteers were great! And who can say anything about the scenery other than, awesome.

Deb K - Engadine, MI

Loved the race. I could not have chosen a better race to run for my first full marathon!! Loved the camp fires at Don's Camp, great scenery, great course, great aid stations, and lots of port-a-potties! From pre-race registrations to post-race results posting...so easy, smooth, and well organized.

Chicky - Queen Creek, AZ

Love this race!!! Would like to thank everyone from the guy with the flag at the rodeo grounds entrance at 430am, bus drivers, camp personnel (the camp fire guys rock!), aid station volunteers, police and sheriff who directed traffic, the wonderful people serving food at the finish, and all those working in the background that never get noticed but who's contributions certainly are. For the past two years the LDM has been my favorite marathon. See you next year.

This was my first competition and it could not have went smoother. The 10K course was challenging, the volunteers were friendly, the post race food was good, and the results were displayed quickly. I am already planning to compete again next year.

Neal Gilbert - Queen Creek, AZ

What an incredible group of eager, friendly and helpful volunteers. They are very well organized and enhance the experience in a very positive manner. The Marathon is definitely very unique and scenic.

Bill Nowak - Globe, AZ

This was a memorable race. logistics are straight-forward, scenery is outstanding. an exceptional low-key marathon.

K. B.

This is a most memorable first half marathon for my son and myself. The soft billowing of rain clouds encircle the runners at the start and throughout the race. The backdrop of the Superstition Mountains and the enthusiastic cheerleaders all along the course are the highlights of these awesome races!

Helen J. - Phoenix, AZ

The entire event was superb...... Don't change a thing. Great Job.

Diane Dedek - Tucson, AZ

This marathon is fabulous!! Everything about it, from the expo to the transportation to the course, the food, and volunteers, was great. Thank you a million for the bananas--great thinking! Your website is very helpful, too. I missed qualifying for Boston by 29 seconds a little over a month ago and frantically searched for another qualifier. I found Lost Dutchman and signed up. My husband, 3-year old daughter, and I drove over 800 miles on Friday night/Saturday morning and turned around and drove home right after the marathon was over. Given the sacrifices we (especially my family) made, I really hoped the race was a good experience, and it was--well worth every mile in the car and on my feet! I PR-ed by almost 9 minutes and qualified for Boston with several minutes to spare.

Sheila Huss

I loved it. Everything was great from the course to the volunteers. I don't want to complain, because everything was truly excellent, but the changes in elevation play a part in my strategy and the elevation map ion the website showed last few miles would as flat, but me and the Garmin disagreed. Was the course changed or is the map incorrect? Again, just a minor thing.

The perfect marathon!! While I want to tell all my friends in the Northeast about it, I also wouldn't want it to get too popular and loose it's charm.

Kevin Pfau - Feeding Hills, MA

Really appreciated the local support for the event - Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, traffic control, local high school athletes, etc. Thank you!

This was an extremely well-organized event and quality event! I would highly recommend it! It was a scenic event, especially the dirt road for the first 6 miles of the marathon. The finishers medals were high quality and very cool!

Thanks for putting on such an awesome race! I came from Alaska, and ran into 4 other Alaskan's. We loved the course, and I got a PR. You guys did an amazing job! THANK YOU!!! I WILL RETURN!!!

Laurie DiFrancesco - Anchorage, AK

What a great event, everything from the course to the volunteers to the beautiful medals and beyond - couldn't ask for anymore! I am already missing the experience and can't wait for next year!

Trisha Neece - Apache Junction, AZ

Especially considering the rain, you all did an excellent job! I was supporting a few runners (2 first timers and 2 who have only done RNR once before) and had no problems as a spectator. Our runners had nothing but great things to say about the organization, the efficiency of the buses, the number of available port-o-johns on the course and at the start. Thank you for making it a great race that is high quality, well organized, without the craziness of the large 10,000 plus races. Well done!

Great event, great volunteers, great encouragement even though the weather was terrible! (I'm an Arizonan so I prefer dry weather) I will definitely try to do the event agaon next year.

Marti M - Chandler, AZ

Excellent post race atmosphere! I loved the huge runners' post-race meal!

This is an excellent "smaller" marathon. The crowds were enthusiastic, the volunteers were numerous and very helpful, and the entire race went smoothly.

By far, my favorite marathon. From start to finish, the race was fantastic and well-organized. I look forward to running more LDM events in the future.

Great race! Lots of fun, super pretty!!

Melissa

Thank you for a fantastic marathon!

Lisa - AZ

The Lost Dutchman Marathon was an excellent event. In my opinion, the gray clouds and cool temps this year added to the beautiful scenery and made it even better. The people working the race are fantastic and it was great to see community members and youth involved along the race route. The overall positive attitude of everyone involved was great to see. I will be returning to this event for years to come and will be brining my friends with me.

Seneca P. - Fountain Hills, AZ

The volunteers along the course were so friendly and supportive! I don't think I have been to a nicer place. The course was hilly and challenging, but beautiful.

Kim Robins - North Salt Lake, UT

Your event has always been enjoyable. After some years of enjoying it, I've looked forward to the next one, as we come here for the winter, from MN. Thank you for all your special efforts! God willing I will see you in 2012.

CJ Dahm, JR - Marshall, MN

Wow!!!! What a beautiful course!!! Friendly people along the way to help spur the racers on towards the finishline! Plus, I very much appreciated the presence of the local law enforcement authorities along the way and the roving fire department personn

Glenda from Mesa, AZ

Impressed with the overall community effort that went into making my 1st marathon enjoyable. The bus drivers were friendly, the mats by the start line fires a nice touch, cow bells (really, I thought I was skiing downhill in the Olympics I heard so many bells... fantastic), spectators yelling out my bib number, and the scenery.

John Kruelle - Glendale, AZ

This was my first marathon and I absolutely LOVED it! Everything from start to finish was just great. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers - from those behind the scene to the ones at the aid stations and the bus drivers that transported us around and everyone in between. I love the small number for race participants. This will be a hard one to compete with. I will definitely run LDM again.

Mindi - Chandler, AZ

This was my first half marathon, and it will NOT be my last! Thanks for putting on a great race!

Shawn Anderson - Queen Creek, AZ

I had a great time and fun run. People were very friendly and the atmosphere was very relaxed. The small feel of the marathon made the event much more enjoyable.

Tony

Great marathon course. Superb volunteers. This was my 15th marathon.

Rory Cameron - Chippewa Falls, WI

The race support and volunteers were amazing and really made the race along with the scenery. Every two miles during the marathon you could count on a huge cheering squad for support along with anything you could think of to make your race a little more enjoyable. Many stations provided snacks like bananas, doughnuts, coffee, pretzels, oranges, juices and Gu. I'm running in Grandma's marathon later this year which claims to be one of the more friendly and supported marathons but I think they have met their competition with the race support at LDM.

James Dempsey - Montgomery Village, MD

An amazing, delightful experience. This was my first marathon (but lots of other races), and it went so smoothly. In fact, it was one of the most well organized races I've entered. The volunteers were the kindest, most cheerful EVER! It's like they have happy juice in their water. That kind of support just give a runner energy. And the course was absolutely breathtaking! It was so quiet and serene, I couldn't imagine a better location for a race. Thank you all for this experience.

Cherie

Although the logistics were such that we had to wake up at 3am for a 4am drive that took over an hour from Surprise to get to the shuttle, and then ride the shuttle for almost an hour to get to the race start; it was well worth it. There was a very unique charm to the start area with all the camp fires. There were plenty of fires, portos, and conversations to accommodate the masses that the time flew by comfortably. The course was scenic and challenging for runners coming from Michigan. I will definitely run this marathon again.

Sandy Logan - Northville, MI

This race was fun, well organized, excellent course, and the volunteers were great! I loved that the whole route was closed to thru traffic! Thanks to AJ Police who were out keeping us safe on the streets! I'll definitely be back next year ;o) (1/2 Marathon Runner)

Andrea

You will be hard pressed to find another close to as well done in all respects at this event! All the adjustments were made properly due to the heavy rain the day and evening prior to the race. Considering their top notch and supportive volunteers, superb finisher's medals and prompt results it exceeded all my expectations. Best in Arizona, but far. and all at a moderate fee.

Dave Weeks - Tempe, AZ

The support on the course was excellent, so many volunteers, really wonderful. Even with cold, wind and rain for part of the time, it was a wonderful race. Well done.

Marolyn Allred

Thanks for a great race! I got a 25 minute marathon PR on Sunday! I loved the start and the views. I will be back!

Lisa

Feedback Welcome

We welcome and encourage your feedback on our event.  We read everything and seriously consider all advice and criticism with the objective of making the Lost Dutchman Marathon better every year.

Nearly all feedback is published to our web site, however we may not post angry comments about specific isolated instances or those strictly offering advice. Editing is limited to cosmetic changes.

Grady McEachern - Race Director