Course Information

Bayshore Marathon is a flat, out and back course that runs along the shores of Grand Traverse Bay. Throughout the race, you have the crystal blue waters of Lake Michigan on one side and Traverse City’s famous cherry trees and orchards on the other. The course begins on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College. On your return trip you return to the Start Line, and then step onto a track for the final 200 meters inside the stadium. The Half Marathon course starts near the turn around point of the Marathon course and follows the same route as the marathon back to the finish line. The 10K course is just like the marathon course except that it turns around at 3 miles instead of 13 miles.

The finish line will close at 1:15PM. Anyone finishing after this time (6 hours for the Marathon) may not receive an official finish time. Center Road reopens at 1:00 PM. Center Road is at roughly mile 18.5 to 21 on the Marathon return.

Please see below for available parking spaces near the high school and college, as well as race-day transportation information.

A Top Boston Qualifying Race

Marathon Course Video

Course Map*

*2024 Course reflects change for Bluff Erosion (Full Marathon Only)

Please note that due to the road erosion on Bluff Road, there is a change for the Full Marathon course. At roughly .75 miles, marathoners will take a right at Sequoia St. and continue towards E. 8th St. Marathoners will also stay straight at Sequoia St. on the way back (24.6 mile mark) towards E. 8th St.

Elevation Profiles

Finish Area

Start for 10K and Full Marathon - Packet Pickup is at the awards tent next to the bag drop.

Half Marathon Start Area

Aid Stations

Marathon:

Aid stations are located at roughly the following mile markers: 1.5, 2.5, 4, 5, 7.1, 8.3, 10.1, 11.6,12.8, 13.3,14.5,16,17.8,19, 21.1, 22.1, 23.7, and 24.7.  All aid stations will have water and Gatorade Endurance. Aid stations at mile 7.1, 10.1, 12.8, 13.3,16, 19 and 22.1 will have Gu.

Half Marathon:

Aid stations are located at roughly the following mile markers: 1.8, 3.3, 5.1, 6.2, 8.4, 9.4, 10.9, and 11.9.  All aid stations will have water and Gatorade Endurance. Aid stations at mile 3.3, 6.2, and 9.4 will have Gu.

10K:

Aid stations are located at roughly the following mile markers: 1, 2, 4, and 5.1.  All aid stations will have water and Gatorade Endurance. There are no GU stations for the 10k event.

The first 75' at each aid station will offer Water, the second zone of approximately 100' will offer Gatorade Endurance, the final zone of approximately 75' will again offer Water.

Spectators

Traverse City is a small town so we don’t make any claims to being a Chicago or Boston in terms of crowds. You can expect great support at key points along the course, and from residents offering their own water, music, etc.

Friends and family CANNOT ride or run along with you. We need to limit all possible traffic on the course and ask you to provide your friends and family with the spectator maps available at registration. With Center Road being closed, spectators should refer to the map above to determine where they will have access to the course. Course marshals are given the authority to disqualify you if they determine if you are associated with a bike, unregistered runner, or car on the course.

All of the Bayshore races will finish on the Traverse City Central High School track. Only registered runners will be allowed inside the fence around the track. All family members and spectators must meet runners outside of the fence. There will be limited handicapped parking for vehicles with the appropriate hang tag or license plate available off of Milliken Dr. Volunteers will assist you. We do have a handicapped accessible bus available up to Gray Rd. Please let Bayshore know ahead of time if possible if this service is needed.

Please visit the bus page for the spectator bus shuttle schedule.

Parking & Race-Day Traffic

Please check back for recommended parking spots, traffic directions, and a transporation guide for race morning closer to the event.