Bayshore Marathon

Loved the course and scenery. Post race could have been more food choices and beverages. Used to having beer after big runs.

Weather was 55 and drizzle first half. But comfortable Sun came out after 11am. Course felt flat and looked flat but there was some gradual uphills. Save what’s left in your tank for the track finish.

This was 2nd marathon and 2nd fast and flat race. My first marathon was Chicago! What a difference! I actually chose this race because I wanted a fast and flat race without crowds and 52,000 runners. I trained for a 4 hour marathon and ran a 4:03:17. The aid stations were great and ready for the runners! I didnt have to wait one second for water or anything. I loved that I could go the bathroom, drop my bag and get in the waiting area for my race all in the same area. It took a load of stress off me because I hate worrying about finding some random truck or tent to put my bag or find stuff. It was all there in front of me. Lines for toilets get long as usual but I got there early so no wait for the toilet. Also they did seem like they had plenty until the everyone decided to get in them all at once. Perfect running weather. It was sketchy the days before with chilly drizzly rain but on race day it was perfect temp and overcast. No intense heat or sun. People were still very supportive all through the race. Just sparser. I hope to perfect my pacing better but the course was perfect.

There are bugs called midges that are water flies. You may eat one or two while running and they can go in your eyes!

Get there early for toilets and there are tons of hotels near the college/university to be close to the start line.

This has been my favorite race, ever. This year will be my 4th year in a row running it. The crowd, the SCENERY, everything about it! There's even a lot of tasty treats and drinks at the finish including ice cream! I really love how you finish on the track (no, you don't have to run a loop around) and your friends and family can watch from the bleachers! During the race, when you feel like you can't run anymore, just look around and you have amazing views and people surrounding you!

If you're going to sign up, set an alarm on your phone and sign up the day registration opens, it fills up fast! The half, 10k and full! And then book your stay! Because it's Memorial Day weekend, things fill up fast and prices eventually get up there as well. Just train, go out there, enjoy the views and have fun with it!

I've noticed that I like to buy the parking pass for the start line in April when that becomes available (set an alarm to get that because they sell out!) I have family with me, drop me off at the start and then meet me at the finish - works out best so I don't have to deal with the shuttles and wait times with that. Book your stay ASAP as well!

What a great race- so well run but not too crowded. The logistics are easy and lots of crowd support on the out and back course. Beautiful run right by the Bay and provides a cooling breeze. This year Des Linden was everywhere- podcast taping on Thur night, free shakeout on Fri night and handing out medals at the finish (to regular runners like me!) at the finish. Gave the small town race a big time feel.

Highly recommend- reminded me a lot of a smaller Grandma's which is a high compliment.

The course gets cooler in the middle as you leave town and are near the water so make sure to start slow and save some for the finish which will heat up a bit.

It's flat but there are two short hills around 11/12 and 14/15. Use these as shakeouts for your legs.

People are friendly and running every pace so latch onto someone. You'll be passing the half marathon runners (if you're running the marathon) for an extra energy boost.

Park in the surrounding neighborhood- easier than fighting for a lot spot Get there early- there are seats under tents setup for runners HIt one of Traverse City's great brewpubs for a burger or beer after the race

I liked that the event had a lot of convenience. I was coming from out of state, so it was great that they kept packet pickup open until 8p. Another convenience was having separate starting lines for 1/2 and full marathoners. I also liked how the event announcer called out again and again for only those with yellow marathon BIBS to be on the start area. These things helped keep the start like from being more congested than it was. The pacers were all pointed out and colored well enough to stand out from the rest of the crowd. The tables along the course were very well manned. The crowd support was great as well. There was plenty to see along the course as the beach and Bay was on your right with many beautiful homes on your left. On the way back to the finish, the course was mostly shaded as the sun began to climb higher in the sky. My one criticism is the lack of toilet paper in the initial finish line porta potties. There were like 40 of them, and it was just under 4 hours into the race and they no or very low on tp. In regard to food, at the 4 hour mark, there was still plenty free chocolate milk, fruit, ice cream, and other drinks and also foods like Chic-fil-a that one could purchase. Another fun aspect was the personal record bell one could ring. I had a great time at my very first marathon.

This was the first marathon that I ran. If it's your first as well, I suggest that one use the pacers to one's advantage. They have experience and stories to share. The conversation helps the time go by more pleasantly as you pace. My goal was to finish in under 4 hours but in 3:30 best case scenario. I finished in 3:57. I started with the 3:30 hour pacers. Then used a porta potty and fell back to the 3:45 pace group. Sadly, I had to use a porta potty again and didn't have the legs to try and catch back up to the 3:45 pacers. So instead, I tried to keep ahead of the 4 hour pacers. I knew they were coming. So that kept me motivated to maintain my pace and finish just a few minutes ahead of them. The hills were just lazy rollers. I would increase my cadence going down them. On the gentle inclines, I would just run upright and lean a bit into them and push a little. If you pace yourself well, it's an easy course to manage. It's so pretty as well. On the way back, the sun was fully up and the water beautiful. It was so clear and tempting that I just wanted to slip off the course and into it for a quick swim. Even though I was as close to a last minute sign up as one could get, I still checked out many of details regarding race day. The area around the event was jam packed with traffic that morning. However, this was to be expected. The event's times, locations, and logistics seemed to be plainly laid out to me. I compensated by finding a place to stay nearby within 15 minutes walking distance to the start line. If one makes the effort, there should be little confusion on race day. I had no issues with how this aspect of the event was run. The finish event area was pretty well organized and spread out. I suppose more shaded areas would have been helpful. But, I truly enjoyed this first marathon experience.

This race was convenient. I signed up only three days before the race and had to do a lot of on the fly planning. All the important things were centrally located. Packet pickup was right near the course and close by to many of the hotels and state parks. Thankfully, packet pickup was open until 8p and just barely made it. Once I had my packet, we focused on finding a place to spend the night. We found numerous places still available within an easy 1-mile walking distance of the start line. The place we found was nearly $170 for a night even with my wife's medical personnel discount. After the race, there was a beach very close by to go stand and chill my sore muscles in the cold mid spring bay water for a bit. Then we looked up the state parks to see which one had showers. There was one nearby for $5 a person to shower. It was clean and had very nice hot water for a long time. After that, there were plenty of restaurants to dine in like Smoke and Porter which just added to the good overall first experience and thus provided a great meal before making the 13 hour journey back to Springfield, Missouri.

Marathon starts at 7:15 and is heading out, Half Marathon starts at the turn around and heads in about 7:30 - fun to see them come by. Lots of water/gu/gatorade on the course - maybe 8 stations with 4 having GU. There is a good mix of shade and shade - be prepared!

Bring clothing options - can be cold - 40-45F start and then warms to 70-75F. There is a mild slope to the road. Definitely start slow ... you will be happier at the end. :) Moomer's Ice Cream at the end brings me back every year.

Get a room early.

The best thing about this marathon was the view and the volunteers. Sometimes marathons advertise views of the water and you see it a few times but this one was mostly beautiful views of the water. Also beautiful shoreline homes and trees. Plenty of shade.

There is a 10k, half marathon and marathon. By the time I got to the finish line all that was left was cookies and water. They should portion out the food better. All the 10kers had plenty of chocolate milk and ice cream!!!! Shuttle bus schedule could have been more clear for full marathoners since there were so many half marathoners they had to get there earlier to catch the bus to their separate startline. I loved that marathoners had their own start line. It was not hilly, some rollers, the course was just beautiful all the way and volunteers everywhere. The town really gets into it!!!

I stayed at the Hampton Inn and it was fine but I wish I would have stayed closer--it just seemed nicer further west. There was a close shuttle pickup but I was lucky enough to get a ride with a nice couple to the race and a ride back to the hotel from one of the volunteers. Everyone was so nice!!!

This was my very first marathon (2018) and I have to say I loved the entire experience. Well mostly. All the things that I didn't enjoy were my own mistakes that lead to my demise as I had to retire at mile 20. But I could tell this was a great race. It was INSANELY hot, race temps were in the mid 70's with over 80% humidity at race start, and that got worse as the day went on. But the course is flat, beautiful and fast. Fan support is fantastic, aid stations great and the medical tent after was great, and needed. I've been admittedly obsessed with it and I am running it again. Can't wait.

Bring clothing for every type of situation. Weather in Michigan changes so you need to be prepared. It was hot and muggy but may be cool and dry. So bring anything and everything you may need. Leave nothing to chance especially if your a ways away.

Bayshore has a full, 1/2 and 10k. Registration opens up in early December, the 1/2 fills up in less than 4-5 hours so if you want to run that race be by a computer. As well this is on Memorial Day weekend the start of the tourist season. Book your hotel EARLY! I had to drive 3 hours the morning of my race because plans fell thru. You don't want to run a marathon without rest, TRUST ME!

Everything about the race was good. Not too hot, not too cold, and this is coming from someone who struggles with overheating issues. One thing that would be nice would be actual pacers, its gotten big enough that the event coordinators should consider getting some.

They have orange and Gu stations along the trail, but only towards the middle/end.

Book hotels early, I ended up having to stay in Cadillac an hour away.

I liked how the home owners contributed to the event. They made the experience great. I did not enjoy the curve of the road as my ankles did hurt after a while. I will run this again!

It is almost impossible for family/friends to come cheer you on as the road is blocked off to traffic, and that is why the home owners are a vital role in the motivation of runners. I was impressed. I would have family and friends see you off and welcome you back to the finish.

2016 was wicked hot but that didn't matter- this is an absolutely beautiful course that always draws an awesome group of runners and awesome spectators. You will definitely have spectators offering out candy and beer if you're there to have fun but there's awesome aid stations and a view almost the entire course that can't be beat. The elevation profile is a little deceiving, there are a few "rolling" hills which aren't terrible as long as you know it's not a pancake flat course. I love this marathon!!

My only complaint about this marathon is that there are no pacers.

I've stayed at Park Place and the Westbay Beach. Westbay has a shuttle to the start and Park Place is a very easy walk to a shuttle.

Very organized. Plenty of aid stations. Liked the out & back (saw 13.1 runners on the way out, saw marathoners on the way back). The course is beautiful! Crowd support for a smaller marathon was great.

I ran the race in 2016. This year was really hot and humid. Bring clothing options. On the way back, we were in the sun, plan for this as well. The road has a slope to it and hurt my back. Staying toward the middle of the road helped.

Get a hotel early.

Awesome scenery, good crowd, nice medal and post race treats.

Out and back course. It warms up quickly this time of year. First couple hours not much sun.

Book a hotel or Airbnb early!

Limited size (2500) marathon with beautiful water views along Grand Traverse Bay, great local support. Finish is on a high school track at the base of the Mission Peninsula, which runs between the two arms of Grand Traverse Bay. Pre-race Pasta dinner is a bit basic - but good. If you like fine dining, Poppycock and Cafe Amical, among others, set a good table.

Even though it\'s a mostly flat course, starting a little slower than you think necessary pays off. Bring warm post-race clothes, so you can enjoy the local Moomer's ice cream without getting hypothermic.

TC is a resort town, and there is a wide range of accommodations, but the places near the Mission Peninsula tend to fill up if the weather is warm. Check to see if your hotel is on the shuttle route to the start.

Well coordinated with great and frequent aid stations. Very flat. Beautifully scenic. Awesome medal and food/drink at the finish line.