Bayshore Marathon

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.

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=.

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.