The Lost Dutchman Marathon is held annually over President's Day weekend.
Event: This page is for the Lost Dutchman Marathon event. Visit our Registration page for an overview of all events or Half Marathon, 10K or 8K Trail Run for our other races.
Where: Gold Canyon and Apache Junction, Arizona
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Start Time: 7:00 a.m.
Course: Beginning near Gold Canyon, AZ (30 miles east of Phoenix), the marathon is a scenic, rolling, point-to-point, USATF certified course (AZ23001JOE) that can be used as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
Race Pacers: The marathon features race pacers to help runners with their personal race goals.
Registration: Registration Details. Registration for the Lost Dutchman Marathon is available online or in person near race day space permitting. Register today at ChronoTrack. There is no race day marathon registration. The minimum age is 14 and maximum time for all entrants is 6 1/4 hours - strictly enforced.
Registration Fees:
| 2026 Prices | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | $124 | $129 | $139 | $149 | 400 | 7:00 a.m. |
Registration Limit: Participation in the Lost Dutchman Marathon is limited to 400 runners in 2026.
Directions and Parking: Parking and transportation details are here.
Transportation: All Marathon runners will be bused to the start. No private vehicle drop off of runners at the marathon start line is allowed.
Marathon Aid Stations: There are aid stations every 2 miles on the marathon course for the first 20 miles and then an aid station every mile to the finish. There are port-a-jons near every aid station. Lemon Lime Gatorade will be available at every other aid station starting at marathon mile 4. GU Energy Gel will be at miles 10 and 18 on the marathon course only. Bananas will be at 2 aid stations.
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.
- 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 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 14 and under, 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:
What a wonderfully organized marathon! The views were spectacular. The aid stations were so encouraging...and the community involvement was incredible. I've run 15 marathons and this one is definitely in the top 3! What a unforgettable experience!
This is a fantastic race - from the volunteer staff, race support, fast course, gorgeous weather, striking views - 10/10 would recommend!
I feel like I couldn't have picked a better race for my first marathon! The team did a great job with all the logistics and the route was beautiful!
The Lost Dutchman Marathon is the best small race that I have experienced in many years - dramatic scenery in the desert, superb organization, and enthusiastic staff and volunteers. I will definitely run again next year
The LDM is one of my favorite races and the only Marathon course I have completed. Y'all and the volunteers do an AMAZING job. I cannot run #7 next year with my Hubby and Bestie
Loved the start of the marathon, and various points of the race provided great mountain views. The volunteers were all very friendly and encouraging!
The volunteer support was outstanding. I think there were more volunteers than runners and everyone was so friendly.
Great race and lots of volunteers, seemless and fun day!
One of my favorite races! From start to finish it is a wonderfully organized event on a beautiful course! Much appreciation to the volunteers who make it run so smoothly! I look forward to the LDM every year!
What a fantastic race! Exceptional organization and wonderful scenery!
Great organization.
Beautiful course and well put together adventure through Arizona! Definitely a can't miss marathon if you are trying to complete one in every state!
Great experience. I was in the marathon and every aspect of it was well thought out and the volunteers were fantastic. The warming fires at the start line were appreciated. The scenery running against the Superstitions and into Gold Canyon are a perfect distraction from the grind.
Beautiful Day for a Marathon. Loved the buses and campfires that kept us warm prerace.
So beautiful! Had everything I could've hoped for and more!
Beautiful scenery and a community of the friendliest people around!
The sunrise and opening miles of the Lost Dutchman Marathon are truly a surreal experience!
Kristie and the crew of volunteers always make this race a great experience. I will keep running it as long as I can keep running….GREAT JOB EVERYBODY!
Such a well organized fun run.
Such a cool event.
Nice marathon with great views.
Great race! Very well organized. Local support is amazing. Starting off socializing by the fires in the dark was super fun and memorable. All the local groups contributing were great (HAM club/dons/sheriffs/etc).
The organization of this race was superb!
This is Arizona's premiere marathon! From organization and logistics to the finish line, everything is planned for and exceptionally executed!
Couldn't ask for a better first marathon experience! Was a well organized event with epic views!
Fun, yet challenging race!
Amazing race from bus pick up all the way through the finish line!
This marathon is unique to the location and the energy from the volunteers. I love that it has downhill and uphills to mix it up. Makes it more challenging for certain. However, you signed up for the marathon, better be ready for it to not be easy!! The Superstition Mountains being in view the entire time, and the favorable weather for the early hours of the marathon are fantastic. I will be doing this race for many years to come.
Arizona Winter Point to Point Marathon Course
Course Maps
full size .pdf | one page .pdf (print ready) | large .jpg | small .jpg
Marathon Course Description
Beginning near Gold Canyon, AZ (30 miles east of Phoenix), the marathon is a scenic, rolling, point-to-point, USATF certified course (AZ23001JOE) that can be used as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Although this is a challenging course, every year a significant number of finishers run Boston-qualifying times. We also receive letters from experienced marathoners who PR on this course.
Drop Bags Organized for Retrieval
All runners will receive free transportation from the Rodeo Grounds to the start. A clothing drop bag location will be at the marathon start, and runners will receive their clothes after the finish of the race.
The race start elevation is at 2330 feet above sea level. The elevation at the finish is 1840 feet. Every mile split will be marked.
The marathon starts a half mile south of the Peralta Trailhead on Peralta Road. The first six miles are on a well-maintained, unpaved road through beautiful desert vistas. The seventh mile of Peralta Road is a newly paved four-lane boulevard. The course transitions to US 60 for 1.5 miles and then turns north on Kings Ranch Road for a tour of the beautiful and historic Kings Ranch and Gold Canyon area. There are rolling hills in this area, but the focus is on the majestic view of the famous Superstition Mountains immediately to the north that rise straight up from an elevation of 2000’ to 5000’.
The course returns to US 60 at approximately the 15 mile mark and follows US 60 for another 1.5 miles to Mountain View Road. The course departs Mountain View and moves at a gradual incline toward the base of Superstition Mountain where you will find a turnaround at about 19.4 miles; from that point the elevation again drops toward the finish line.
Shortly after the turnaround you will be running with half marathoners. It adds to the fun to see how many half marathoners you can pick off before crossing the finish line. Just past mile 23 you will pass through a wall which is a great photo op with beautiful Superstition Mountain in the background. Save a little energy for the last 2 tenths as you run past the on lookers to the finish line. View the marathon course here.
Aid Stations
There are aid stations every 2 miles on the marathon course for the first 20 miles and then an aid station every mile to the finish. There are port-a-jons near every aid station. Lemon Lime Gatorade will be available at every other aid station starting at marathon mile 4. GU Energy Gel will be at miles 10 and 18 on the marathon course only. Bananas will be at 2 aid stations.
Aid stations are staffed by our tremendous volunteers without whom our event could not happen. Please thank them along the way.
Courtesy 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.