Lost Dutchman Marathon

Registration is open to all runners on a first-come basis with tiered pricing. The field is capped at 400 marathon runners, so earlier registration gets you a lower price and secures your spot. There are no refunds or deferrals, and no race-day marathon registration is available.

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. The course runs point-to-point with a net downhill, but the rolling first half means you need to run it with discipline to hit your qualifying standard.

The time limit is 6 hours and 15 minutes.

The course is point-to-point with a net loss of just under 500 feet. Most of the climbing comes in the first half through the desert foothills, with the second half trending flatter and downhill. Total gain is just over 600 feet, so it is not a flat course, but the back half rewards patient early pacing.

All marathon runners receive free bus transportation from the Rodeo Grounds in Apache Junction to the start in Gold Canyon. There is no self-transportation option to the start for the marathon.

Race day falls in mid-January. Expect a cold start in the mid-40s that warms toward 70 by midday. It's dry desert air, but the sun and potential wind on an exposed course can affect how the later miles feel. Layers you can shed early are a good idea.

The marathon field is capped at 400 runners. Recent finisher counts have been well below that cap, so it's an intimate race with a low-key atmosphere compared to larger city marathons.