Saturday, May 27, 2023 • Traverse City, MI • Course Map
A gorgeous run along the waterfront awaits the thousands of runners who flock to this small city on Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay each spring for the Bayshore Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K, which has been run here for more than three decades and sells out well in advance each year.
Challenging and occasionally hilly, the 13.1-mile course for the half takes runners along waterfront areas for virtually the entire length of the race, nearly all the way to the finish line at the track and field complex of Traverse City Central High School.
The starting line for the half marathon lies along Devil’s Dive Road, just south of Peninsula Township Park. From there, runners head east on Devil’s Dive and Blue Water Road, toward the water’s edge of the East Arm of the Grand Traverse Bay, known locally as the Old Mission Peninsula.
From there, the course winds along Bluff Road for the next several miles, between the crystal blue waters of the bay and the gorgeous homes along the road.
Shaded by trees and scenic throughout, the course takes runners along Bluff, Center and East Shore Roads before winding up near the campus for the finish at Traverse City Central High School’s track and field complex.
The race course is made up of paved surfaces throughout, and remains open to traffic — though organizers say that thanks to the early starting time and course location, it tends to be very light during the race.
All three races in the event are open to runners only, and the full marathon starts at 7:15 AM, followed by the half marathon and the 10K at 7:30. Bus transportation will be provided from the high school to the half marathon start from 5:15 AM until 6:15 AM, and the finish line for all races closes at 1:15 PM.
Event organizers set a maximum of 2,750 runners for the full marathon, 2,700 runners in the half marathon, and 2,000 runners in the 10K. Race organizers note that the race often sells out, so register early to save your spot.
Race Weather & Climate
Set along the shore of the Great Traverse Bay in the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Traverse City typically sees cool to mild weather in May, a month that has brought record temperatures here as low as 17 degrees (in 1966) and as high as 95 degrees (in 1978).
On race day (May 27), the average low is 46ºF and the average high is 71ºF.
Past Results
- 2022 Results
- 2019 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
- 2018 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
- 2017 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
- 2016 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
- 2015 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
- 2011 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
- 2010 Bayshore Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Bayshore Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
see race website
Fees
see race website
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of Traverse City’s Bayshore Marathon, Half Marathon or 10K race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.
Official Race Website
Comments
Ever run in the Bayshore Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.
