Bayshore Marathon
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Event Overview
The Bayshore Marathon, organized by the Traverse City Track Club, is an annual running event held in Traverse City, Michigan. Established in 1983, it takes place on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. The courses are known for their scenic views along the shores of the Grand Traverse Bay and the Old Mission Peninsula.
Course Details
The event provides several distance options, primarily following flat and paved surfaces. The marathon and 10K courses use an out-and-back format, while the half marathon is a point-to-point race.
- Marathon: A USATF certified out-and-back course starting at Northwestern Michigan College, traveling along the waterfront of the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay.
- Half Marathon: A USATF certified point-to-point course. Runners are transported by bus to the start at Devil’s Dive Road before heading back toward the finish line.
- 10K: An out-and-back route that passes through residential neighborhoods and follows the west shore of East Grand Traverse Bay.
- Kids Marathon: A 1.2-mile course for children in grades K-5, winding through the Northwestern Michigan College campus.
Participation and impact
To maintain the quality of the experience, the organizers limit the number of participants in the marathon, half marathon, and 10K races. The event serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier. Profits from the races are used by the Traverse City Track Club to support community grants, scholarships, and local non-profit organizations. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
