Back to Bayshore Marathon Information & Reviews
Ryan Richmond from Michigan
(5/24/2009)
"Good, flat course with hometown support" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I picked up my packet the morning of the race and was a little disappointed to have trouble finding a drinking fountain to fill my bottles. I was given a bottle of water after looking for a fountain. If you want a decent parking spot, get there early. I arrived around 6 a.m., and the congestion was already really bad. The race started at 7 a.m. The race amenities were plentiful along the course. I was given all of the GU I could want. There were spectators along the entire course; residents hung out in their yards and some gave out water. Officially, I don't think iPods are allowed, but the recreational runners did not have an issue plugging in if they wanted to. My time was pretty terrible but not because of the race; I just underestimated the demands of a full marathon. | |
J. C. from Michigan
(5/24/2009)
"Awesome course" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Bayshore was my first marathon and it turned out to be everything I had hoped for and more. The course was gorgeous and the spectator support along the way was so helpful. The race was very organized and just overall a great success. I'll be back again next year. | |
J. Z. from North Augusta, SC
(7/8/2008)
"Well-run, small-town race!" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first year running Bayshore and it was my 8th marathon. I thought it was the perfect-sized race - it wasn't too crowded, but I was never alone. Crowd support isn't like a big race, but the sections that had spectators were great! It was a nice scenic course which I enjoyed. It wasn't "pancake flat" though, like others told me. Don't get me wrong - it's not hilly, but it's not flat either. I would probably say this race is "relatively flat." The roads were really slanted - more so than I was expecting and probably one of the worst I've run on. I tried to run in the middle, or on the shoulder - whichever was the most even, but I still had issues with my right IT band around mile 18. I never had this problem in training and was taken off guard. I liked the finish on the track and having Cold Stone ice cream at the end was awesome - they gave me plenty of it and it made a really nice treat. The only thing they were missing from the finish line that I would highly recommend was Mylar/foil wraps. I was freezing when I stopped running and was shivering - a foil wrap would have been nice to have. I liked the race t-shirt - it's very simple and reflects the atmosphere of the race. It was a short-sleeved, black, Brooks technical tee with the Bayshore logo on it. My only complaint is the expo - I wish they would find a larger location for it other than the high school. Since the expo was only held in the evening for a few hours, it was very congested and the lines were long. It seemed to be a little disorganized in the way it was set up. It seems like they could find a larger location and offer longer expo hours. And having outside vendors there would be nice as well. The finisher's medal was top-notch! Not only was it large, but the ribbon attached to them were very nice and decorative. For the price, you can't find a better race than this one. I highly recommend it! | |
Mr. Bill from Orland Park, IL
(6/18/2008)
"You HAVE to do this racce!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great marathon, seriously! I have done Chicago the last 3 years and was extremely disappointed after 2007. We decided to do a smaller venue and drove up to Michigan for this one, as it got great reviews from '07. The course is awesome - breathtaking views, indeed! I didn't PR, but came within a minute or so. Very well organized and just plain beautiful. The fans were thin, but very enthusiastic. The water stations were plentiful and had great staff! I will do this race again. We went to the wineries afterward and just had a great time. Kudos to the organizers and the volunteers!!! | |
B. B. from Dallas, Texas
(6/17/2008)
"I'm counting the days until I can register again.." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Bayshore Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I love this race! It's my all-time favorite. While I like to do different races each year, Bayshore is the one constant for me. The half is the perfect size and could even grow a bit. I love seeing the marathoners run by, the view of the bay and the pretty homes, the ease of packet pick up and race-day parking, and the track finish. I especially loved this year's finishers medal/ribbon. Traverse City is a fabulous vacation destination and the race occurs before the summer crowds arrive. There are enough walkers, so I never felt alone, but not so many that the course was crowded or that we were in the way of the faster marathoners doing the second half of their race. | |
J. V. from Flowery Branch, Georgia
(6/16/2008)
"Perfect Course. Great for a PR." (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a fantastic course, with stellar support. If you want to hit a PR, this is the one to choose. The weather was perfect, and the finish-line organization was first-rate. Highly recommended. | |
Steve Kleinheksel from Holland,MI
(6/14/2008)
"Quality Marathon" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was well worth it. My wife and I traveled up from Holland, MI and had a wonderful time. The course is amazing! I loved the free ice cream at the end of the race from Cold Stone. The medals are made with quality material. | |
B. L. from Troy, MI
(6/11/2008)
"A PR in the sunshine with gentle breezes" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This race lived up to the hype. Beautiful scenery, nice and flat, great medal, Cold Stone Creamery at the end, all in a nice little town on Memorial Day weekend. My only complaint: the expo is extremely boring. | |
Derek Opperman from Granger, IN
(6/10/2008)
"Bayshore Marathon... as good as it gets!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first Bayshore Marathon. What a wonderful experience I had, and I was able to qualify for Boston! Course was GREAT! What views along the Traverse Bay. A few rollers mixed in, but overall pretty flat and fast. Organization was outstanding. Packet pick up was crowded, but moved right along; not much of a traditional expo to check out though. Plenty of parking at the start, which is great. Aid stations are positioned very well and the "aid station ahead" signs were helpful. Coming to the finish around the high school track was exciting. It seemed like everyone was cheering for your finish. The medals at the end were more than I expected, as was the post-race food. Wonderful job to everyone involved in this race. Keep things as they are - and the cap on the number of runners helps this stay an amazing race. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! | |
A. M. from London, Ontario, Canada
(6/4/2008)
"Gorgeous Course! Wonderful People!" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is by far the best course for a marathon! My mind was so busy looking at the beautiful scenery all along the water that I did not have time to think about anything else. Plenty of volunteers, and GU every 6 miles! Wonderful spectators. A beautiful medal and classy tech t-shirt! My husband and I are coming back next year - we loved it! |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools