How do I register for the Bayshore Marathon?

Registration opens December 1st at 9:00 AM EST each year and is open to all runners until the field cap is reached. The race typically sells out quickly, so be ready to register as soon as it opens. If the race is full, you can join the waiting list or look into guaranteed entries through charity partners.

Is the Bayshore Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, Bayshore is a certified Boston qualifier. The flat, fast course draws a high proportion of runners chasing a BQ, and roughly one in five finishers earns a qualifying time.

What is the course like?

The course is an out-and-back along the shore of Grand Traverse Bay on paved roads. Elevation change is minimal, with the course sitting in a very narrow band of elevation throughout. Wind off the bay is typically the biggest variable, particularly on the return leg.

What is the time limit?

The Bayshore Marathon has a 6-hour time limit.

What kind of weather should I expect on race day?

Late May in Traverse City typically brings cool, dry conditions at the start, with average lows around 45°F and highs near 69°F. Temperatures can rise as the morning progresses, so dress in layers and be prepared for variable conditions throughout the race.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Bayshore Marathon course is USATF certified, which means your finish time is eligible for use as a qualifying standard for other races, including the Boston Marathon.

How large is the field?

The Bayshore Marathon has a field cap. Registration fills quickly each year, so the race consistently draws a full and competitive field.

Sat, May 29 · 2027Traverse City, MISince 1983

Bayshore Marathon

Bayshore runs an out-and-back course along the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, with cool morning air and a field that shows up ready to race. It is one of the more honest PR setups in the Midwest.

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BAYSHORE · US

Bayshore

SAT, MAY 29

2027

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Race Overview

EST. 1983

Bayshore runs along the western shore of Grand Traverse Bay, and the setting is genuinely hard to beat for a fast race. The course is out-and-back on a paved road with the water right beside you for most of the morning. It starts cool, usually in the mid-to-upper 40s, which is about as good as you can ask for in late May. The elevation is minimal. You will barely notice it. The one thing to watch is the wind off the bay. If it is behind you on the way out, do not get excited and go too fast. You will pay for it on the return.

This is a serious PR course and the field reflects that. Registration opens December 1st each year and fills up fast, so set a reminder and be ready at 9 AM. If you miss the window, there is a waiting list and some charity partner spots. Weather in late May is generally cooperative but can shift, so dress in layers you can shed early. If a Boston qualifier is what you are after, this course gives you a real shot at it. Show up trained and patient, and Bayshore will do its part.

Field size

~2k

2,000 finishers

BQ rate

19%

Above national average

Time limit

6:00

Tight cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:16:35

Zach Ripley

2023

Women

2:36:57

Hannah Becker

2023

The Course

371 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑371 ft

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

612 ft

Lowest point

583 ft

Course shape

Out and back

Same route, both directions

Bayshore runs out and back along the shoreline, keeping elevation change modest across the full distance. The net gain and total gain match, meaning there is no meaningful descent to offset climbing. The course sits within a narrow elevation band, so grades are gentle rather than dramatic. Cumulative gain is spread across the route rather than concentrated in one big climb, which lets you settle into a consistent effort early. The out leg is largely flat to slightly rolling. Be conservative heading out, because whatever you accumulate on the way out comes back on the return. Conditions in late May can start cool and warm through the second half, so pacing conservatively in the first half helps manage both the terrain and potential heat.

DIFFICULTYFLATPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

45°F

High

69°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Late May in Traverse City means a cold start you'll want layers for, then a warm-up as the morning goes on. That low-to-mid-40s gun time is actually great for racing, but the back half of the day can push toward the upper 60s, and this is an out-and-back on an exposed shoreline route. If you go out too fast feeling fresh in the cool air, the return leg in the warmth will find you. Dress to strip early, and drink from the first aid station.

Entry

OPEN

Registration opens December 1st at 9:00 AM EST each year. The race typically sells out quickly. Runners can also enter through charity partners who have guaranteed entries, or by joining the waiting list if capacity is reached.

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Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

MKE

169 mi

from the start

≈ 267 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into MKE, about 169 miles from the start, a longer haul by rideshare or transit, roughly a 267-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Traverse City, MI so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.

Frequently Asked

7 questions

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