Bayshore is a Saturday race on Memorial Day weekend, and it has been since 1983. You'll start on the Northwestern Michigan College campus, run one mile through quiet neighborhoods, then follow the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay out along East Shore Road and Bluff Road and back, with the blue water on one side and cherry orchards on the other. The route is out-and-back, flat and fast, with about 371 feet of gain, and in 2026 roughly 20 percent of finishers ran Boston-qualifying times. The final 200 meters are inside the stadium. Entry is first-come, first-served and the race sells out: every 2026 event filled, and the 2025 marathon had about 2,000 registered with 650 more waiting. Registration for 2027 opens December 1, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET, so set an alarm. The finish line closes at 1:15 p.m., six hours after the 7:15 start.
Flat, fast out-and-back from the Northwestern Michigan College campus along the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay via Birchwood Drive, East Shore Road, Center Road (M-37) and Bluff Road, finishing with 200 meters inside the stadium. Course map ↗
Registration opens 2026-12-01. when sold out (all 2026 events sold out); online transfers allowed until May 15. Registration for 2027 opens December 1, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET on RunSignUp, first-come first-served with a waitlist that does not guarantee entry. In 2025 roughly 2,000 registered for the marathon, 3,400 for the half and 2,000 for the 10K, with 650+ marathon, 1,100 half and 400 10K runners added to waitlists. Pregnancy/postpartum deferrals are available for up to 3 years. Register ↗
- The Bayshore Marathon has been held on Memorial Day weekend since 1983 and is organized by the Traverse City Track Club. ↗
- All 2026 events sold out; in 2025 about 2,000 registered for the marathon and more than 650 joined the marathon waitlist. ↗
- The marathon starts at 7:15 a.m. and the finish line closes at 1:15 p.m., a six-hour limit. ↗
- Find My Marathon lists 371 feet of gain and loss, 1,732 finishers in 2026 and a 20% Boston-qualifier rate. ↗
- Registration for the 2027 race opens December 1, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET. ↗
Checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site before booking travel.