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Bayshore Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Traverse City, MI, USA
- Race Date: 05/29/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Bayshore Marathon Description
The Bayshore Marathon takes runners along the shoreline of Traverse City, Michigan, tracing Grand Traverse Bay and the cherry orchards and vineyards of Old Mission Peninsula each Memorial Day weekend. Hosted by the Traverse City Track Club, the out-and-back course starts at Northwestern Michigan College and finishes on the track at Traverse City Central High School. The route is mostly flat aside from an early climb near the start, making it one of the country’s top Boston-qualifying courses, with roughly 1 in 5 marathon finishers earning a BQ time. Runners can also choose the half marathon or 10K.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Bayshore Marathon Additional Details:
Eighteen aid stations dot the Bayshore course at tight intervals, so water and Gatorade are never far away no matter how the pace is going. The real reward waits at the finish: Moomers, the beloved local ice cream shop, sets up right at the track to serve scoops to finishers alongside the usual chocolate milk and water, a genuinely sweet way to end a Memorial Day weekend race. The finisher medal has earned a reputation among regulars as unusually heavy and well-made, the kind runners actually wear again rather than tuck away. Between the aid station spacing and the ice cream at the line, this race takes care of runners from start to finish.
Course Information
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 6 hours
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 2,800+
Marathon: 1,700 to 1,750
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 371 ft (Marathon)
Elevation Loss: 371 ft (Marathon)
Average Temperature
- Low: 50°F
- High: 73°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans to get you to the start line ready.
Structured plans for every experience level, first finish to chasing a new PR.
Your bridge into marathons, with a plan built for stepping up the distance.
Things to Do in Traverse City, MI, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Arts & Culture
Dennos Museum Center
See the largest collection of Inuit art in the country at the Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College — a relaxed, indoor way to spend a taper day.
Outdoors & Trails
TART Trail
Walk or bike the TART Trail through Traverse City, passing sculptures and public art installations along the route — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Take in sweeping views of Lake Michigan and hike through pristine dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, near Traverse City — a relaxed, moderate way to spend a rest day.
Shopping
Downtown Traverse City
Browse local shops and boutiques in Traverse City’s historic downtown, set alongside an energetic dining scene — an easy, flat stroll for a post-race souvenir.
Sports & Entertainment
Interlochen Center for the Arts
Catch a world-class performance at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, which draws international students and performers year-round — a relaxed evening outing after race weekend.
Food & Drink
Old Mission Peninsula Wineries
Sample wines from more than 50 wineries scattered across the Traverse City region and Old Mission Peninsula — a relaxed way to unwind after race day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Bayshore Marathon
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A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes