Lost Dutchman Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 4.6

Organization 4.8

Spectators 3.8

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Number of comments: 142 [displaying comments 141 to 142]

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Shelly Kaufmann from Snellville, Georgia (1/21/2002)

"A beautiful and well-organized inaugural marathon." (about: 2002)

COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1

I was late getting in and didn't make the Expo (for which the times were not given on the website). This was my only disappointment. The busses to the start ran on time and there were plenty of them. We were bussed to the top of a mountain trail where we were treated to small bonfires to keep us warm while we waited for the start. There was a bus for loading our belongings available. The first 5-6 miles of the marathon was down the trail which was a little rocky but mostly hardpacked. Some of the race was on a heavily traveled road but cones were placed so that runners had an entire lane plus the paved shoulder. There were cones along most of the route which really helped slower runners stay on the course! There were more hills than I had anticipated - and an especially challenging hill around mile 22. The water stops were well maintained and a terrific group of kids (the young marines) called times for us at nearly every mile marker! The t-shirt wasn't anything special but the medallion was one of the prettiest I have collected. Personally, I loved this race - the beauty and commitment of the race staff - and would recommend it to my fellow runners. Crowd support was minimal but I'll take peace and beauty over that any day!

A Runner from Phoenix, AZ (1/21/2002)

"Lost Dutchman Strikes the Motherload" (General Comments)

COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5

The Lost Dutchman Marathon occured on January 20th, 2002 for its Inaugural Running, and everything from the event organization to the post-race festivities was a triumph. The course was an extremely challenging, yet spectacularly beautiful course. The organization of the race was nearly perfect for an event in its first year. The spectators and aid stations were well-placed, and extremely helpful during the course of the race.

The Lost Dutchman course was perhaps the most scenic and beautiful course any runner could run during their lifetime. After a 35 minute bus ride to the Peralta Trailhead, marathoners were left at the startline in a large circular area with the beautiful superstition mountains in the immediate background. The course winds through the Trailhead back to the 60, visits the new communities around King's Ranch Road, Gold Canyon resorts, and along lost dutchman. Hills are frequent in the second half, and particularly nasty from miles 18 to 23. Runners will feel every muscle and strand in their bodies over the last few miles, with the race finishing in Prospector Park, down a 1/10 mile stretch to the finish line.

Race organization was nearly flawless. Course organizers packed and cleared the dirt trail sections of the course, while the barracading company and the Apache Junction Police regulated traffic flow during the event. Aid stations and portapotties were every two miles along the race. Post-race festivities and awards flowed well, although marathon finishers probably needed more food choices than chips, bananas, bagels, and cookies.

Spectators along the course were very supportive. The Superstition Springs community was very prevelant and supportive at aid stations, and randomly located around the course. The young marines were exemplrary, announcing mile times to each competitor at the mile splits, as well as working at several aid stations. The Renaissance Festival had a troupe of its characters there, hollering and coaxing along the tired marathoners halfway through the course, and near the finish gate.

All things considered, this was the best 'smaller marathon' event I have ever done, or will likely ever do. The event should be brought back for next year, and hopefully turnout will increase for next year.

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