The Lost Dutchman Half Marathon is held annually over President's Day weekend as a part of the Lost Dutchman Running Event.
Event: This page is for the Lost Dutchman Half Marathon event. Visit our Registration page for an overview of all events or Marathon, 10K or 8K Trail Run for our other races.
Where: Prospector Park, Apache Junction, Arizona
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Start Time: 7:15 a.m.
Course: The Half Marathon begins and ends in Prospector Park, and is an out-and-back over the last 6.55 miles of the Marathon course. Scroll down for course details and map links.
Race Pacers: The Half Marathon features race pacers to help runners with their personal race goals.
Registration: Registration Details. Registration for the Lost Dutchman Half Marathon is available online or in person near race day space permitting. Register today at ChronoTrack.
Registration Fees:
| 2026 Prices | Early Bird Pricing Through 06/12/2025 | 6/13/2025 through 08/21/2025 | 8/22/2025 through 10/18/2025 | 10/19/2025 through 01/02/2026 | 1/3/2026 through 01/30/2026 | 1/31/2026 through 02/15/2026 | Maximum Runners | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half Marathon | $89 | $99 | $104 | $109 | $119 | $129 | 900 | 7:15 a.m. |
Registration Limit: Participation in the Lost Dutchman Half Marathon is limited to 900 runners for 2026.
Parking: The race begins and ends at Prospector Park in Apache Junction. From US 60, you may use Tomahawk road and park in the Rodeo grounds or exit at Ironwood and park on the north side of the park. Here are links to a Prospector Park and detailed race driving and parking information.
Aid Stations: For the Half Marathon there are aid stations every mile with water at every aid station with a sports drink at every other aid station. There are port-a-jons near every aid station.
Race Packets
Packet pick up:
- Thursday February 12, 2026 runners can pick up their packets at Road Runner Sports - Tempe, 43 S McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281 (Map) from 3:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m.
- Friday February 13, 2026 runners can pick up their packets at Road Runner Sports - Tempe, 43 S McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281 (Map) from 11:00 a.m. till 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Multi-Generational Center, 1035 N. Idaho Rd. Apache Junction, AZ from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Map). The 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk is 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with the start and finish at the center.
- NON-MARATHONERS can pick up their packets Sunday, February 15, 2026 at Prospector Park 3015 N. Idaho Rd. Apache Junction, AZ beginning at 5:45 a.m.
- There is no day of race packet pick up for the full marathon. Marathon runners MUST pick up race packets Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
- You may have someone else pick up your race packet. Race Packets will NOT be mailed.
Chip Timing: The race will be chip timed. Your chip is a part of your bib, do not remove it. Your number bib must be worn on the front and be visible at all times during the race.
Medals: All half marathon finishers will receive a commemorative medal.
Awards: Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in each age group. Age groups are 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+.
Results will be posted as soon as possible after the completion of the race; the award ceremony will take place once the race results are available. If you win an award, be sure to pick it up before leaving. Award recipients not able to stay for the awards presentation can still receive their award, details are on the awards page.
Feedback:
This desert gem ALWAYS delivers--everything, and I mean everything is taken care of--start to finish--way to rock another LDM!!
The view on this course was amazing! Definitely one of my favorite races so far. Since the course is fairly remote, the drum line and the other stops with music were great energizers.
This race was extremely well organized, friendly, and fun!
Well run race, beautiful course and amazing staff of volunteers to make it all come together.
I loved this event and would recommend to anyone who wants a great weekend run that is an all around great experience.
I do one run a month and the LDM is the best organized event of the year. Recommend 100%.
The best race in Arizona - beautiful views with the friendliest volunteers, police officers and crowd.
Super well organized. Excellent aid stations and tons of volunteers.
This is my favorite race, beautiful course, well support, well organized. The first half of the Half Marathon is particularly stunning, sunrise over Superstition Mountain.
Great event! I do this run every year!
You want a big finisher medal? The LDM provides the best finisher medals I've ever gotten! Big, heavy, flashy, and fun!
We enjoyed the entire experience!
This was my first race. I walked the half marathon. I was there with several friends doing other races. The race was well organized, the staff was very supportive and it was a fun atmosphere! I will try this again and hopefully run some next time!
The volunteers were great!! Made the race much more enjoyable.
I've done 1 run a month in the valley and this is the best organized event of the year. Recommended 100%
Outstanding Race, well run, beautiful weather, excellent people.
It was my first marathon experience! It couldn't have been better. It was such a breeze all the way through and so much fun! I'll definitely do it again!
The Lost Dutchman Marathon was an incredible experience! The course was beautiful, the organization was seamless, and the support from volunteers and the running community made it truly special. A huge thank you to Liz L and the rest of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation for putting together such a well-executed event. Their hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, and it made the race enjoyable from start to finish. The aid stations were well-stocked, the signage was clear, and the overall atmosphere was so welcoming. I'm already looking forward to next year. Thank you for making it such a memorable race!
The Lost Dutchman is always one of the most enjoyable and well-organized running events of the year - definitely one of my favorites!
This the most organized, most beautiful race I've ever participated in. This year was my 12th year doing this race and I already registered for next year: I love everything about it!
Beautiful course and loved the frequency of the water stops in the half
Every aspect of the run was well organized with enthusiastic volunteers. Good job!
Great event! It was well organized and there were plenty of aid stations.
Love this race!
Awesome event!
What a beautiful, well organized, locally operated race! I've run the full and half several times and it never disappoints.
What a smooth experience! The event was well-organized from start to finish.
This was a gorgeous run on a beautiful day. The people of AJ were so kind and helpful along the entire way. I will be back next year!
One of the smoothest run, well organized, easy to park, starts and ends at predictable time, awesome weather, good organizers.
Love this race! It's a challenge, but it's also all kinds of fun with a view of the mountains and a more leisure and still very badass crowd!
The Lost Dutchman Marathon and Half are the best I've done. The course is great, the views are wonderful, and all the logistics always run smoothly. Cheers to doing it again!
Great route, with some fun rolling hills!!
This is Arizona, Saguaros, Jumping Cactus, Mountain Views!
Lost Dutchman Half Marathon Course
Course Maps
full size .pdf | one page .pdf (print ready) | large .jpg | small .jpg
Half Marathon Course Description
The Half Marathon begins and ends in Prospector Park, and is an out-and-back over the last 6.55 miles of the Marathon course. We have a designated lane for runners going toward the turnaround and a return lane when you are headed for the finish line to avoid conflict with oncoming runners and walkers. From the start line to about the middle of the course going out there is a decline of approximately 100' elevation. The turnaround is slightly higher in elevation than the start/finish line. The return is again somewhat bowl shaped. There are no hills. At about 12.5 you will notice what appears to be an incline toward the turn from Lost Dutchman Blvd. onto Idaho Rd. It is an optical illusion, there is only an elevation gain of a few feet. The course is paved, but there are significant stretches of freshly graded shoulder if you prefer to run on dirt. The half marathon course is certified (AZ23002JOE ) through 2032.
There will be mile markers on the race course.
Aid Stations
For the Half Marathon there are aid stations every mile with water at every aid station with a sports drink at every other aid station. There are port-a-jons near every aid station.
Aid stations are staffed by our tremendous volunteers without whom our event could not happen. Please thank them along the way.
Clothing Drop
There will be clothing bag drop zone in Prospector Park for the convenience of the runners not wishing to return to their cars.
Drop Bags Organized for Retrieval