calendar icon Nov 16, 2024

Lost Dutchman Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Lost Dutchman Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.6 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.8 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.8 
 
 
Number of comments: 142 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 15 > ]

 

F. E. from Philadelphia, PA (5/13/2023)
"Gorgeous course, great organization" (about: 2022)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This course and race definitely lived up to the reviews. Absolutely gorgeous start and worth it, in spite of earlier-than-crack-of-dawn arrival logistics. The shuttle that takes you out to the race start takes around 45min? over curvy dirt roads. You have to start out early, but they get you out there on time and there are little log fires and hot cocoa at the wait with lots of port-a-potties. I had a lovely time meeting and talking to fellow runners just before the start. There are three long ascents and one around mile 22/23. It got pretty warm at the end, about 77deg since I'm a middle of the packer. I wish I'd carried my hydration vest. I did bonk a bit due to heat and hills but still felt this course, running through the Arizona desert, was worth it. Really organized, friendly volunteers and RD.

 

Don Cuddy from Mass (2/21/2022)
"Wonderful experience" (about: 2022)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


Meticulously planned and executed, this is a great event, staged by local people for the benefit of their community. It is a small marathon featuring some truly spectacular scenery with great support on the course. Watching the light change as the sun rose over the mountains while running in the desert is a memory I will cherish.

 

T. S. from Indianapolis (3/5/2020)
"Adding to previous comment" (about: 2020)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Here's yet another reason to praise the organizers.

Because my time was so incredibly slow, I didn't hang around for the awards ceremony. Heck, the ceremony was probably over before I trudged across the finish line. But when I got home, I saw I somehow came in third in my age group.

I sent organizers a note and some $$ to handle shipping, and a couple of weeks later, a beautiful plaque landed in my mailbox. I've won a few age group things over the years (hint: get old and enter a race with not too many old folks in it), but this was by far the nicest.

 

T. S. from Indianapolis (2/21/2020)
"No 'Shady Rest at the Junction'" (about: 2020)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


If it were an option, I'd give 6 (or more) stars to the organizers of this event. From the easy packet pickup to the short wait for buses to the start to the warming fires once you got there and most importantly, to the enthusiastic volunteers who manned the much-needed water stops with gusto, this was one of the best-organized marathons I've done. And to top it off, this was the first of my 47 marathons where I got my photo taken with a donkey afterward!

The course offered a beautiful tour of the desert at the base of the Superstition Mountains. Much of it was on unshaded roads that included traffic, something I might've had issues with were it not for the spectacular scenery. The high sun -- and lack of shade for much of the second half -- was problematic for this midwesterner who did a shakedown run three days prior to the event in single-digit temperatures.

But it didn't take away from the event, which I highly recommend.

 

J. W. from Maryland (2/19/2020)
"American Southwest at its Best" (about: 2020)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


We were dropped off in the middle of the Sonoran Desert before dawn and ran six miles along a winding dirt road immersed in some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable as the sun slowly rose over the Saguaras. The next 20 miles was along paved roads with the Superstition Mountains in the backdrop. Breathtaking! The weather was perfect, as was the staff of friendly volunteers and traffic personnel. Copious aid stations and energetic people passing out water, gatorade, bananas and oranges. The Lost Dutchman Marathon was well organized and well marked- a great marathon experience! Plus, for 50 Staters, it was easy to get to from the Phoenix airport. Go for it!

 

n. s. from FL (3/2/2018)
"Beautiful Point-2-Point" (about: 2018)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


I had never been to Arizona before and this race made it worth coming! The organization was absolutely top notch. From the small expo (appropriately sized) to the transport of runners from the rodeo area to the start, to the start area with the warming fires, warming buses, portolets, the course with great and varied scenery and well done aid stations, and the finish area, it was all so very well executed. I have been a marathon director so I have a great deal of appreciation and respect for all of the work that goes into this. The medal was really nice, having the prospector with his donkey there was awesome... just everyone. The only adjustment I would make is getting ladie's shirts instead of generic (men's) shirts for everyone. I'm a small female and the XS is not a good fit - too big.

Notes on the course: The first 6 miles is downhill with a few short up hill rolls...this is on dirt road so it's fine as far as impact goes (not bad at all). The rest is rolling hills but nothing horribly steep.

If you are looking for a wonderful, well organized race with fantastic scenery, this is for you!!

 

Paul Brown from South Georgia (4/11/2017)
"My favorite marathon out of 29 despite the rain..." (about: 2017)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 2


I had tried to run this race the year prior, but was unable to make my flight. Ran this year (2017) with constant rain during the whole 26.2 mile event. The first nine miles were magical on a hard packed dirt road with thousands of mighty saguaro cacti saluting the runners. The rest of the marathon was on asphalt and was generally pleasant. Volunteers ranged from youth to elderly and they ALL had smiles and pleasant comments! Out of 29 marathons in 29 states, it is the only one that i want to repeat...this is an event worth running!

 

B. S. from Chicago (2/26/2017)
"Great course, support & organization." (about: 2016)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


Non Phoenix style weather tried its best to disrupt the race. Despite cold temps and two days of relentless rain that cruelly didn't stop til shortly after the race ended, the runners were treated to a well managed event. Kudos to the volunteers who manned their stations, with smiles and cheers of encouragement. Nice long sleeve tech shirt. There were plenty of buses to shuttle folks before and after the race, lots of aid stations, endless offerings of gels, fruit and porta-potties at every aid station. Yes all runners looked like cold, drowned rats but blame it on the weather gods. The race starts on the Peralta Trail and delivers 6 plus miles of gentle elevation drop through gorgeous views of cactus and foothills. This was a top-notch, small race that didn't miss a beat.

 

Jody Reed from Virginia (2/26/2017)
"Put this race on your must do list." (about: 2017)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


You can tell a lot about a race organization when the weather is bad. The good races, adapt, the bad race directors blame everyone else. The Lost Dutchman, fortunately falls under the good race banner. Instead of the usual dry sunny day for this race, it was wet and cold. So, since they could not have mats and fires to wait for the start, they left the buses at the start for people to stay in. The volunteers were amazing. The course is very scenic. The bacon and donut stop was well received. In fact, the only thing anyone could say is a negative about this race is a lack of spectators ... which does not really bother me since I love running with my fellow runners. Loved the 'wall' at mile 24. Highly recommend the race.

 

D. F. from Alberta, Canada (2/24/2017)
"Weather and the Unkowns" (about: 2017)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Lost Dutchman Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


As a race director you are always in the mercy of the weather. Kudos to the racers, their support crew, the organizers and volun-cheers for their tenacity. My only wish is that the Unknowns be recognized from what country they are from :) in the results.

 

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