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Bayshore Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Bayshore Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.8 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.6 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.9 
 
 
Number of comments: 247 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 11 12 13 14 15 .. 25 > ]

 

J. A. from Cincinnati, OH (6/22/2007)
"Great Marathon Course; Buses Need Improvement" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 5


This was a fantastic course for my first marathon. The scenery is amazing as you run right along the lakeshore. The aid stations were appropriately spaced, the volunteers were kind, and the spectators were fantastic. My only complaint was the bus service for spectators. The buses were late in the morning, and there were not enough of them. My wife was only able to see me at mile 15 due to this, and I even beat her back to the finish. In addition, there were no spectator bathrooms on the course that she could find. Needless to say, the race was great for me, but extremely frustrating for her. Overall, though, a great course for runners!

 

R. S. from Columbus, Ohio (6/18/2007)
"Second time around - even better" (about: 2007)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Bayshore Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is the second time I've run Bayshore - previously I ran it in 2006. And they really take the comments they get seriously. They added more aid stations and really just made a great marathon even better.

Love the course - great support considering it's so small, and I particularly love seeing the faster runners coming at me.

I've done Chicago and Cinninati, and while I loved them both, I'll be back for this one again in 2008. Plan on spending the weekend in Traverse City - it's a lovely place, with good shopping and great food!

 

K. D. from Carbondale, Illinois (6/12/2007)
"A PR/BQ for sure!" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This is the race for you if you're looking for a PR/BQ. Starting with the expo: it's nice and small and therefore very easy. The shirts are great, but a warning for the women - they run SMALL. The bibs have your name on it, which is a great touch. Race morning went unbelievably smoothly. There was plenty of parking in the college lots. Also the lots are super close to the start line so you could stay in your car to stay warm until it's time to go.

The course itself was perfect. Literally perfect. I loved the out-and-back because after the turn everything was familiar - no surprises at all. It was shaded about 95% of the course and there were some slight rolling inclines - not even enough to call hills, but enough of an incline so that it wasn't perfectly flat. Aid stations were wonderful. The designated crowd support areas were placed perfectly, also with lots of enthusiastic cheerers.

I loved finishing on the track - there were tons of people cheering as you entered the track which was fun.

Another thing I noticed was how NICE all the other runners were. Everyone said encouraging things to fellow runners, whether they were doing the passing or being passed. I really felt a part of something great. Hopefully this race will stay small - it's so much more fun to run a race with room to actually RUN.

Running Fit is a store downtown that takes pictures of all the runners and hangs them up all over their store for you to pick up after the race. That was a neat touch. Also I loved the medals - they were the best I've gotten.

The only problem is that they need about 20 more volunteers in the last mile to direct traffic. When I was leaving the directors had me and some other cars on the wrong side of the road, so the poor runners had to run around the cars. It was awful, especially at mile 25.

All in all, I give this race an A+. I had a PR of 17 minutes from a marathon I'd done a month before, which had also been a PR, and ended up qualifying for Boston with five minutes to spare! Take advantage of this amazing small race - I have a feeling this is one that will be filling up earlier and earlier every year.

 

L. I. from Oakville, Ontario (6/11/2007)
"Great route and resort town - bring the family!" (about: 2007)

2 previous marathons | 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my second marathon. The route was great - enjoyed running along the Bay. The weather couldn't have been better. The packet pick-up, parking, food, track finish, and the technical shirt in women's sizing were all great. My husband wants to come back next year so he can run and I can be the curb crew. I think I'll have to negotiate running too. The spectator buses had their problems but there were so many wonderful things about the location and the race that we'll be back.

 

N. B. from Kansas City, Missouri (6/8/2007)
"This race will spoil you - 26-minute PR" (about: 2007)

4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Course - There were some minor short rises on the route. I'm sure there are some flatter courses out there but not too many.

Support/Aid Stations - You'd have to have a personal support crew for it to get any better. I have never run a marathon without my water pack and Gu - with the consistently good support on this race I didn't need my pack, and that's a lot of weight I can ditch next time.

Tech Shirt - Very nice. Twin Cities is the only one nicer that I have.

Medal - Really nice. Colorful ribbon instead of just a solid color.

Finisher Medal - Nicer looking then my age division award from another race.

Showers - RD provided them at the school campus - this was fine. It's a shame that the hotels in the area wouldn't provide late checkouts for a fee. I got this feedback from several runners that used the campus showers.

Food - Pre-race pasta party was a nice option if from out of town; but, I'd skip it next time just to try one of the local joints.

Finish Line - Food was nice. If you like ice cream you will be in heaven. Water was my first desire and it was handed to me with my medal - thanks.

Overall - I came off a PR in March and still PR'd by another 26 minutes. I know the support had to play in this. When I think I'm closing in on a BQ time I'll probably consider this course because of the support, weather, and the fact that the town has plenty of things for my family to do also.

 

I. J. from Chicago, Illinois (6/7/2007)
"Excellent Course, Well Organized, Runner-Friendly" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Generally, if you don't like this race, then you should stop running. The course is great and generally the organization was terrific. My only complaint is that the clock was started when the half marathon started, which turned out to be two minutes early. This lead to an unpleasant surprise as I ran toward the finish line and saw that I was over 3 hours, but my Garmin said 2:58. The official times were correct, however. So, no harm, no foul.

The course is basically flat and very fast. It is also exceedingly pretty, especially from somebody who runs on the streets of the west side of Chicago. Not many spectators except for a few locations, but those that were out there were great. Enough water stops along the way, stocked with Gatorade and water. Also GU at the right mile markers. Also, plenty of port-a-potties at the start.

This is one of the best. All the important things were done correctly, and the little things done well too.

I consider this race to be the Midwest's version of the Clarence DeMar Marathon, which was one of the (if not the) best small marathons I've run.

 

C. G. from USA (6/7/2007)
"This was the best of my ten marathons!" (about: 2007)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Of the ten marathons I have done, this was the best in many ways! The organization was great... packet pick up, pre-race meal, aid stations, mile markers - all were right on. The course was not pancake flat, but still fast - no long hills and very beautiful! And the weather could not have been more perfect; I kept thinking that this is near Garden of Eden conditions! I was impressed with the workers and other runners. Although I was alone, a friendly runner paced me the last five miles, helping me get a P.R. I'm excited to be BOSTON BOUND!

 

Doug Balogh from Indianapolis, IN (6/6/2007)
"Great course and great weekend destination" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This is a great course. Gently rolling, and very scenic running along the bay. A significant part of the course is shaded by trees, which was much appeciated, as the sun started to warm things up. There were pockets of very enthusiastic fans. Frequently the homeowners were out to cheer the runners on. The event was well organized. The finisher's medal, while not as unique as some, was substantial and of top quality. The age group award medal was unique, and I was fortunate enough to take one home. Traverse City is also a great destination for the weekend. Travel up the peninsulas and visit the lighthouses and the wineries. Unfortunately asparagus is the only fresh produce available at the roadside markets this time of year.

My only complaint isn't for me. Rather a friend of mine who was running in the top 10 missed a turn somewhere around mile 19. The course workers either weren't paying attention, or the course was not adequately marked for runners who tend to get brain-dead at that stage. Either way, this should never happen. He ran nearly 2 extra miles and still finished under 3 hours! That said, most of us slower mortals will always have people to follow and never experience this problem.

Put this one in your plans for 2008!

 

w. c. from Rockford, MI (6/5/2007)
"great experience" (about: 2007)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Bayshore Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This my second Bayshore - 2006 was my first. Excellent organization, beautiful fast course. Kudos to the TC Track Club. Well done! I will be back in 2008.

 

L. M. from Madison,WI (6/1/2007)
"Beautiful!" (about: 2007)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Bayshore Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


Couldn't have ordered a better race day! Granted, the organizers can't attribute the weather to their planning skills, but the remainder of the race was a credit to them, so they might as well take credit for the weather also! Beautiful, well supported course, AND a technical shirt to boot! The medal was unspectacular, and the expo was nonexistent, but those are pretty minor points in the whole scheme of things.

 

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