I have heard about the Lost Dutchman Marathon for many years and finally had a chance to participate in one of their races. The Lost Dutchman Marathon and its other races takes place over President's Day weekend at Prospector Park in Apache Junction near the rumored site of the legendary Lost Dutchman Mine. It is run by an all-volunteer team with proceeds going toward a local youth organization. Race day includes the marathon, a half marathon, a 10K and 8K trail run, and a 2 mile fun run. I was impressed how organized this event was considering how many people come out to run it. One tip I will give is to get to the event early as the traffic gets crazy toward start time (plus you can watch the sunrise!). There is parking at the nearby rodeo grounds and they will shuttle you over to the starting line. Lost Dutchman has been doing this since 2002 and it draws quite a crowd. There is a medical team on hand for emergencies and snacks and drinks available afterwards I personally love trail runs and just bought new trail running shoes before this event. I participated in the 8K trail run. The views of the Superstition Mountain are just gorgeous as you are running. I had a really good run that day and runners are given a medal at the finish line. It was cool to hear my name being called out as I crossed the finish line. I will definitely considering doing this again some time in the future. read more

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I've run this event 3 times. I ran the half marathon in 2022 and the marathon in 2015 and 2026. When I ran the half marathon, they had race morning packet pick-up. When I ran the marathon in 2015, I picked up my race packet on Saturday at the Apache Junction Multi-Generational Center. This year, I picked up my race packet on Friday at the Road Runner Sports at the Tempe Marketplace. The half marathon was an out-and-back course that started and ended at Prospector Park. For the marathon, we parked at the Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo ground and got a bus ride over to the start at Don's Camp on the Peralta Trail. Both times they had set up many campfires for people to stay warm. If breathing in smoke before running a marathon isn't your thing, you can also stay warm on one of the buses. It's a fairly small race for the marathon and they had a lot of portapotties. From there, you make your way over to the finish line at Prospector Park with scenic views along the way. Post race they have buses that will take you back to your car. read more

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This has been a long standing regular event in the city of Apache junction. I'm personally not a runner, but enjoy walking and volunteering for Parks and Recreation. I signed up for the finish line, and loved awarding the participants when they crossed the finish line with their respective medals. I was pleasantly surprised how many people I knew to make the experience better, and loved all the staff who made this event a success! I'll definitely volunteer again, and heck maybe I'll walk the 8k or 10k next year. read more

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First time volunteering and 5 or 6 year cheering me wife on during the race. Well run and organized. Beautiful race. It also is a race that you can run to qualify for Boston marathon. Proceeds go towards children in the community. read more

Lost Dutchman Marathon & Half Marathon - Medal for marathon tomorrow - Races & Competitions Near Me

OK don't like waking up early to get here, not a morning person. But this has the most amazing views. The volunteers are also great. Very organized and well thought out event. Thanks to the lady playing golf and stopping to crank up the Rocky song! Hubby appreciated it. read more

I've heard that the Lost Dutchman marathon was the one to do for Arizona, since it is themed and popular with the marathon running clubs I'm a proud member of. Plus, it just fits logistically on the calendar on President's Day weekend. Hard to believe that there isn't a yelp business page for this marathon event, especially when the Lost Dutchman marathon has been in existence for 15 years and 2016 is their 15th year. Oh well. It didn't fit the schedule on my 1st time doing Arizona in January 2011 while running Rock n Roll Arizona marathon and half marathon, but this time around it just definitely made sense in February 2016, although it was just a half marathon. Sightseeing in east Phoenix, hang out with friends, and run 13.1 miles. Ain't anything greater (besides running 13.1 more?) The marathon course ran from Gold Canyon, AZ rodeo grounds to Prospector Park in Apache Junction - one way trip, whereas the half marathon started and ended at Prospector Park - 6.55 miles out and 6.55 miles on the return. The entire half marathon experience for me was entirely pretty great, since I got to see a lot of gigantic saguaros (native giant cactus), the Superstition Mountains in the backdrop, and the course was run on rural residential roads in around Apache Junction. I gotta thank the volunteers for Lost Dutchman marathon and half marathon. They are the central force in providing on course support through aid stations, traffic management, and other forms of cheerleading to get everyone moving forward to the finish line. The half marathon is great, although I disliked out and back courses, since you'd have to go 6.5 miles out and 6.5 miles back. I did enjoy the scenery though, and I didn't realize that people actually live out here! I guess they do love the serenity that comes with not living more in the city. The Lost Dutchman marathon and half marathon expo / packet pick up was held at the Muti-generational Center, near the Apache Junction library and the high school at 1035 N Idaho Road / AZ route 88. It felt like a high school gymnasium up in there and it took about 20 minutes to pick up the packet and take a quick look around without buying anything. Weather on race morning, at least on race morning 2016, started off cool at low 40's but gradually warmed up into the upper 60's at 7am. Then, the sun came out and it got considerably warm at 9am. It felt like in the low 80's by 10am. Race started at 7am for the marathon, while the half marathon started at 7:15am. The scenery and the race day atmosphere helped me cope with the heat. The Lost Dutchman marathon and half marathon is kind of pricey, but in line with a lot of marathons out there, as registration fees go, but the value of running your first or your 50th is always magical indeed. The marathon cab average $90 to $100, where as the half can go from $65 to $75, depending on when you decide on running and the time to sign up. The predawn campfires for the marathon is an awesome sight to see, or so I've been told. I've seen them also in photos on social media and that's awesome! Approaching the finish line is always a great thing. Once we graced the hill at mile 12.5 / mile 25.7 for the marathon, there was just a little more than half a mile before turning the corner and reaching the finisher chute and crossing the finish line. It's always amazing when the race announcer called my name and hometown as I crossed, and the audience who was at the finish line cheered. I guess they love hearing people who have traveled far and wide just to run this race. Or they just like to hear Hawaii. Something like that, I guess. Lol The post race festival was nice. Got to see my results in real time and there was a post race buffet nearby. I also got to see marathon friends cross the finish line before I headed out of Apache Junction for the day. The finisher medals are gorgeously designed and recommend anyone who needs Arizona for their 50 states challenge - marathon or half marathon can run this race. Be wary of the weather on race morning and you'll be just fine. Run more! Support local! A++ #Yelpmarathons read more

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A very fun experience even though it rained all morning. I did the 8K trail run (or should I say mud run) which was a beautiful flat trail. The event was well organized. The lost Dutchman was even there to take pictures with! read more

This is my second time running the event and still the highest praise. Excellent event, the logistics are the easiest I've ever seen with a race from parking to shuttles to everything else. Will run this year after year!! Plus that it has views of superstition mountain, my favorite place in AZ read more

Best Arizona Marathon! It is a 501 (c)3 charity that gives ALL race proceeds to local youth servicing agencies. This race has it all: the scenic views, best youth volunteers @ aid stations, and a great finish! Mild hills during run and it is a Boston qualifier! Runners continue to come back to this great race. All other races Arizona races are For Profit with minimal proceed shared with charities, this Race is the opposite. Even there board and race coordinators are all Volunteers. By far the best Arizona Marathon. read more