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Nov 15, 2024

Bayshore Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Bayshore Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.8

Organization 4.6

Spectators 3.9

Number of comments: 247 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

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K. B. from NC, USA (6/30/2023) "Fantastic race that exceeded my expectations" (about: 2023) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bayshore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marked marathon Lucky # 13 for me. I ran it thinking I would retire from marathons after this one, but I enjoyed it so much that I am already thinking about coming back again next year. Spectators were enthusiastic and more numerous than I expected; the race announcer was energetic and cheerful; everyone associated with the race was helpful & pleasant. The packet pick-up location has been moved, & we had no trouble parking and getting in/out quickly. Race organization was top-notch. I was thankful and relieved that I had no trouble accessing port-o-potties (which is always a major source of stress for me). The weather was perfect (upper 40s at the start; about 65 at the finish; sunny; dry). Half marathoners started near the turn-around point for the marathon, so we passed them as they were going out (and then caught up to them later). The presence of the other runners helped to keep the race energized and interesting. The course was so beautiful! I loved that it is an out-and-back race: I find it mentally easier to complete races like that, knowing exactly what to expect for the second half of the race. Also, the course was so pretty, I was glad to have a second chance to enjoy the views. I am so glad that I signed up for this race! The ice cream at the finish line is the cherry on top of the marathon sundae. The only (minor) complaint I have is that the award for age group winners was... an exact replica of the medal I got for finishing, only bigger and with the award category engraved on it. One medal, really, is one medal too many. Two? Overkill. I would have preferred a coffee mug or something useful. Finally, as one other person noted, the half marathoners were often oblivious and did not stay out of the way of faster runners coming up behind them. The course was closed, though, so there was enough room to pass them, but in those final miles of a marathon, trying to maneuver past walkers/shufflers can be challenging & a little annoying. Overall, however, this was a worthy destination marathon and a fantastic experience.
NICKOLAS WEBSTER from Illinois (6/2/2022) "Couldn't ask for more from a destination run!" (about: 2022) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Bayshore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Race Summary: Excellent organization, pacing, water/Gu stations, fast course, beautiful scenery and town. Traverse City Track Club does an excellent job organizing. 2022 was the 40th year. This is a very large event, with nearly 8k registered for 10K, half, full (capped with 10k & half sold out early). There were periodic emails including info reminding about packet pickup times/location, changes to route for erosion, etc. Announcer was enthusiastic and informative. I don't know how she doesn't lose her voice. Packet Pickup: many of the negative comments relate to the challenging parking at high school. It was like 5pm-8/9pm Fri night (Sat early pickup avail.). We got there just before 5 (before even checking into our hotel from a long drive) knowing that it would be even busier soon and wanted to go to dinner and relax. There are 2 parking lots to the high school, we parked in a very congested, smaller, 1st lot. Recommend you pick the second drive for the large lot. Other than waiting for cars to leave, once inside the crowded gym, pickup for me took less than 2 min. There was a booth for free sunblock (which you should have), bandaids, chapstick, etc. I even got past shirts for a cash donation. Expo had Brooks shirts, hoodies, Gu/protein bars and such. It was very crowded. Note, it was card only - cash not accepted. Fri Night Dinner: I had researched several top-rated area pubs/restaurants. Instead of the pasta dinner I had earmarked, we decided to go to Slabtown Burgers and had burgers, chicago dogs, milk shakes, cheese fries, onion rings (I still hit my PR). The place has a big menu with unique burgers, cheap prices/tasty. Hotel: pricing is inflated for the wknd. You'll find that bookings go very early, and it's expensive to stay nearby. Family from Grand Rapids area stayed at the neighboring town, Kingsley, for much cheaper. And as spectators that's fine. We chose the Howard Johnson per another review here. It was $470 for 4 adults in 1 room for Fri/Sat nights. Warning that you think you paid in advance but only secure a spot, and they charge you day of. They moved breakfast from 7 to 5am Sat for racers (continental but did the trick). Hotel was perfect blend of 1.2 mi walk to race, cheaper, nice accommodations. Race: Scenery is beautiful. I even saw a deer wade out far into the lake early am. Down and back is not popular but it was fine for me. It is a very flat course. There are some small rolling hills and downhills but nothing noteworthy. 1st half features numerous areas of cresting down towards the water, a warning to feet problem runners like me fighting to stay on the road. Didn't see this in other reviews and it surprised me. Some good shade portions, some stretches of pure sun. I elected to not wear a hat and glob my balding head with sunblock, then bug spray. Lots of pacers beginning with 3 hrs, many of the larger groups like the 3:15 had 3 pacers. Sample I saw, pacers were very good. Water stations were perfect: long enough to see it ahead, quickly eat a Gu, and still catch a water. Organized by water, Gatorade, then water every time. Gu was available about 4x down and back, so I grabbed 4 total (used 5 including 1 in back pocket). The Gu is an underrated feature for me since I don't carry fanny/back packs (or anything including phone/ear buds). Cheering was good with spurts of spectators who were bused out to maybe 3 mile markers (but the down and back factors). There were additional residents, but many stretches away from the 1st (and last) mi that had very few spectators. However, this a large event, with plenty of racers to help keep you motivated and not lost through the early/late turns. Course is very well marked. This is the 1st time in any race I didn't get turned around. Finish: can't beat finishing on the track. The track surface combined with grandstand cheering is primed for emptying the tank! They video & photo the finish, so extra incentive if you want to pose. Food/Awards: Not good enough for awards, but they seemed generous with 1-3 age group prices, including masters men and women and the overall winners. Food included them giving boxes for you to fill with several energy drinks, pints of Moomer's ice cream, cookies, bars, chips, muffins! We planned ahead and parked our car in the lot Fri night, walked Sat am. So we could drop off these food boxes and return to cheering. We even got $20 GC's for downtown restaurants for being Track Club Members (I wasn't even one)! Lots to do in Traverse, and that's part of the draw. Went to Sleeping Bear Dunes (fun for marathon legs!), Cline Beach, Hippie Tree, world's largest cherry pie pan, putt putt twice. Also several wineries, original Grand Traverse Pie Co., Children's Museum. At 41, this was only my 2nd marathon (1st in Oct. 2021), but I improved from 3:43 to just under 3:17. Not sure how I overachieved a full min per, on even shorter training runs except that I pushed my self to stay with the 3:15 pacers until I cramped at 22 and stopped lame. I did loosen after a tough 4 miles of 8:15ish to finish with a 7:10 and a sprint on the track. It was overwhelmingly a great experience with only knocks being the road cresting, numerous giant geese poo that side stepped the whole way=, and having to weeve around 1500+ (yes, that's right) slower half marathoners because of the down and back. Many of them didn't obey rules and would walk 4 across like they were in Disney World. Race temp was perfect at 42 in am, 60s (but warm with sun) later. Wore shorts/t shirt w/ my PJ pants to take off=.
J. A. from Minnesota (5/28/2019) "Beautiful course" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Bayshore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I saved Bayshore as my 50th state and am glad I did. It is a beautiful course with lots of water stops. It was relatively easy for the people who came to get to one of the spectators spots. Negative: The parking at the high school is difficult as it's not designed for this many people, but they do have shuttles to try to alleviate the congestion.
R. S. from Michigan (12/4/2018) "A one-time race; terrible experience." (about: 2018) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Bayshore Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 For Michigan, this race was unseasonably hot in 2018 - and the weather during the time of the scheduled race is highly unpredictable overall. For starters, packet pick-up is in the local high school gym which is not equipped with air. It's cramped, hot, swarming with people, not enough space, and not enough people. While it is nice to see runners in the half when doing the full, the farther out you get, the less spectators you see (which isn't a lot to begin with). Once you reach the turn around point, the sun hits your back and doesn't let up. In addition to the positioning of the course, there is almost no tree cover throughout most of the course. Nutrition and water stops on the course didn't respond well to this weather and were not nearly stocked with what runners in heat might need (salt) - they didn't have enough ice and water turned warm after a certain point. The course itself is an exact out and back and even though Lake Michigan is beautiful, the route eventually gets tedious because you run on the same boring road for approximately 25 miles. The finish is less than exciting, coming in near the starting point to the track of the local high school and never enters downtown Traverse City. I'm extremely disappointed that I paid money for this race. I will never run this full again, and would not recommend it to anyone who inquires about it.
K. Y. from IL (5/31/2017) "Great Destination Marathon!" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Bayshore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first Bayshore Marathon and my first trip to Michigan, it didn't disappoint! Packet pickup was easy and well organized, communication was excellent. We stayed at the Howard Johnson which was within walking distance of the start and finish, it was clean, comfortable, and offered an early breakfast on race day. The course was absolutely beautiful with views of the water throughout most of the race, and the blooming cherry trees along the peninsula. There aren't tons of spectators but they are awesome. Several of the residents along the course set up their own aid stations (a couple included beer!) and many had music playing. The volunteers were very helpful and knowledgeable. Finishing on the track was really cool, and the ice cream and chocolate milk at the finish were delicious. I also love that they had women's sizing on the shirts. With the holiday weekend this is a great marathon to make a vacation out of, Traverse City is full of fun things to do and good places to eat. If you're a beer drinker try the Diabolical IPA at North Peak Brewing!
D. G. from Michigan (5/31/2017) "Six Bayshore Finishes, 1 PR, 3 BQs" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Bayshore Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a great race. I've run 25 different marathon courses, and this one and Boston are the only courses that I've run more than once. That is testimony enough as to the top notch organization and the course itself. Also, you can run tangents effectively if you don't stay with the herd, such that you finish at 26.2 instead of 26.3 or 26.4 like a lot of other races. It can be fast if it's not too warm or sunny (there's not much shade on the way back once the sun is up high). Unfortunately it has been warm the last 2 years. I still managed a BQ, but not by the amount that I was hoping for. I would suggest starting the Full Marathon at 6:30 instead of 7:15 to mitigate the heat. The medal was much improved this year.
A. L. from Ohio (5/30/2017) "Lilacs and Lakeshores" (about: 2017) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bayshore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 If you're looking for a low-maintenance, user-friendly serene marathon experience, this is your race! The 13-mile out and back provided views of the lake every step of the way, including the mist-laden morning views and boaters cheering as the day warmed up. The air smelled of lilacs and cherry blossoms. The people of Northern Michigan were insanely friendly, and I did not feel alone or remote for a second. Flat, fast course, the ability to watch some of the experienced and elite runners on their double back, and well-stocked aid stations with friendly volunteers. I loved this race. The only reason it got four stars was because they promised showers at the local YMCA and at 12:15, THEY WEREN'T OPEN! That's one of those things that, if it's promised, and then not there, and you're relying on showers... bummer.
J. S. from Florida (5/29/2017) "Moderate-sized marathon with a small-size feel." (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 My wife and I traveled from Florida to run the marathon and explore the northwestern side of the "mitt" of Michigan. This is a well-organized event which features a beautiful out and back course mostly along the water on the Old Mission Peninsula. We were surprised to discover that this marathon has had over 2K finishers in past years. The packet pick-up was well managed and uneventful. The Expo was small having essentials and some clothing. Given there are three races (10K, Half, and Full), the Marathon is started first to minimize congestion on the two lane road that winds out of the Northwestern Michigan University Campus. The start and finish on the Traverse Central High School Track is really cool. There were aid stations at least every two miles offering Gatorade and water and with one offering GU. The course itself is relatively flat with only some small rolling hills and surprisingly a good number of spectators. Upon finishing there was plenty to eat and drink on the athletic fields adjacent to the track. The only negative I can think was the lack of any posted results in the finish area. This is a fast course which should be conducive to first timers, and those after a BQ or PR. We stayed in Traverse City for three nights and had a grand time. If you make it there, you have to drive to Sleeping Bear Dunes, the National Lakeshore there is fantastic.
James Cavallo from near Chicago (6/2/2016) "Terrific marathon - lots of fun" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Bayshore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This is a terrific race. The course is along the Grand Traverse Bay offering wonderful views of the area. The marathon was well-organized and not too crowded. The course is flat and fast. And the folks along the way were fantastic in their support of the runners.
M. B. from Hudsonville MI (6/16/2015) "My Favorite race" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 6+ Bayshore Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have run this race 7 years in a row and plan to run it as long as I can. Beautiful city, and with it being on Memorial weekend we make it a vacation for the family. * Course * Aide stations * Finish line.. Ice-cream, Chocolate Milk, home made baked goods < Time to change up the shirts and medals

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