Traverse City, Michigan, United States
The Bayshore Marathon draws approximately 1,800 finishers each May on a scenic bay road in Traverse City, United States. It is one of the purest PR courses in the Midwest thanks to calm roads and minimal elevation change. The route passes Grand Traverse Bay, orchard country, and quiet water-side roads with long blue-lake views. The course is very flat throughout.
Bayshore Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Bayshore Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 2 May 2027 with a 7:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 50 m of climbing on a very flat layout.
Starts and finishes in Traverse City on the bayfront. The route passes Grand Traverse Bay, orchard country, and quiet water-side roads with long blue-lake views. The profile stays level enough for steady splits, and local spectators cluster at the bayfront start-finish festival.
The Bayshore Marathon course is very flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
The Bayshore Marathon uses open online registration at bayshoremarathon.org with no ballot or qualifying time required. Sign-up for the May race typically opens the previous year and places are allocated first-come, first-served. The flat lakeshore course is a popular Boston-qualifier and early registration secures lower tier pricing; charity bibs are available through partner organisations when general entry closes.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Traverse City.
The Cellcom Green Bay Marathon attracts approximately 1,800 finishers each May along the Fox River and Lake Michigan shoreline in Titletown USA. The course passes Lambeau Field, the CityDeck riverfront, and the Bay Beach area on flat Wisconsin terrain. May's mild Great Lakes spring and the Packers-country atmosphere make it Wisconsin's flagship marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027
The Grand Rapids Marathon draws approximately 1,300 finishers each October on an urban road in Grand Rapids, United States. It is known regionally as a dependable Midwest BQ course. The course passes the Grand River, city parks, and long straight sections through neighborhoods built for even splits. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026
The Fox Cities Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each September on an urban and suburban road in Appleton, United States. Linking several Wisconsin communities gives the event a bigger footprint than its finisher count suggests. The course passes Fox River communities, tree-lined neighborhood roads, and steady crowd support through the valley cities. Fox River communities, tree-lined neighborhood roads, and steady crowd support through Wisconsin's valley cities give September's race a bigger footprint than its finisher count.
Next race: Sunday, 6 September 2026
The Lakefront Milwaukee Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers each October along Lake Michigan's western shore. The course passes the Art Museum with its Burke Brise Soleil wings, Veterans Park, and the Oak Leaf Trail on flat lakeside terrain. October's crisp Great Lakes autumn and the iconic Calatrava museum backdrop make it Wisconsin's premier marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026
The Detroit Marathon draws approximately 5,500 finishers on an urban road in Detroit, United States. The course starts and finishes in downtown Detroit. Mostly flat with climbs on the bridge and tunnel approaches.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026
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