The Bayshore is a great first marathon (my 4th time running it in 2008), and weather permitting, a fast one. My daughter just ran her first half this year there, and enjoyed it immensely. I highly recommend this race!!

Bayshore Marathon is #39 in my ongoing quest for 50 states plus DC. Based on research and word of mouth, we never considered any other Michigan marathon - and we were so glad we didn't!!!! We stay away from the city races - opting for fresh air and scenery - and I've never been on a more beautiful course! An easy roll to the road kept my legs from a beating that allowed me and my family to hike the Sleeping Bear Dunes that same afternoon and bicycle Mackinac Island on Sunday. An absolutely wonderful marathon, town, and total vacation package. We stayed at the Grand Beach Resort and even met your local Harriers! Keep up the great work ! I'll enthusiastically recommend this race to all who want a total marathon experience.

This was my 3rd Bayshore and each one tops the last. This is a "cream of the crop" event that all runners should experience at least once. The organizers and the volunteers really put the runner first. Every facet of this race is tough to beat. I'll be back again.

Fun race - very scenic. The out-and-back course was great. Going out, you get to see the half-marathoners coming towards you; then you see the lead marathoners, and after you make the turn, you get to see the rest of the other full marathoners. When you're not seeing other runners, the views of the bay will keep your mind off of the effort you are making.

This was my first marathon and I couldn't be any happier with my experience at the Bayshore. The local community really embraces the event, making for a great atmosphere. Beautiful course, friendly and helpful volunteers, cool medals and COLDSTONE ice cream at the finish! Would highly recommend it to first-timers or marathon vets. Be sure to sign up early - the marathon and 1/2 marathon fill up quickly.

This might be one of the best-kept secrets for those of us who live in Michigan. Although the course is an out-and-back, it has to rank as one of my favorites because of the incredible view you have at all times during the race. As some have said in the past, this is not a flat course, but it is not overly difficult either. It kind of just maintained a nice gentle roll with only two hills to speak of. I also agree with a previous post that the second half seemed to be easier than the first, with more of a downhill feel. There were not a ton of spectators, but the ones that were out were great. Aid stations were small, but more than sufficient for a race this size and seemed to be spaced appropriately. I would highly recommend this race to anyone who wants to run a nice, well-organized, low-key marathon.

Ps. It did not hurt that the weather was absolutely ideal and could not have been better.

I had a very good time running the marathon last weekend and wish to thank everyone involved. While I still have some training issues to address, I now understand why so many people want to ensure that they run this race every year. The local hotels are within walking distance of the start/finish, the street did not seemed packed from the start, and you could run tangents easily, which I found out later is how the course was measured. I love the 7:00 a.m. start, the road winds enough so you don't look out for miles like a city course, the finishing medal was very nice (heavy), and I loved the hand scooped ice cream at the finish. The marathon shirt was solid black and very plain (needs to improve) and they did not have XL shirts at all and are mailing them to us.

I enjoyed looking for friends running the half marathon, as they started from the 13.1 point and ran to the finish line. This gives you have a chance to say, "HI" and high five your friends running that race around the 6-mile point. One thing that might help is to hold back the start of the 10K race so the leaders of that race don't have to holler to make way as they run through the "back of the pack" marathon runners until their turnaround point.

Weather: 40 degrees, no wind and a blue sky made it a GREAT DAY, but I think you would enjoy this run without such wonderful conditions.

Special thanks to the guy at mile 21 passing out the emergency beers to us back-of-the-packers. LOL.

This was my first marathon, and I am really happy I chose this one rather than a larger race. It was extremely well-supported and everything was easy to figure out for a first-timer. Spectators along the course were enthusiastic and the views were truly spectacular. Detailed results were posted the same day on the web. Post-race food was great, as were the finisher medal and shirt. Run the Bayshore... you'll be happy you did.

This was my third straight year of running the marathon. Obviously, I like this race. Well organized, fantastic course. I can't say enough about this event, except to thank the organizers and volunteers for all their efforts. Kudos to all; God willing, I'll be back in 2009.

This is my 3rd Bayshore and I'll be back. The scenery is one (great) thing, but safety for runners, support on the course, hassle-free pick-up, and energetic and supportive fans along the way (hometown people to support the runners) make this a great race.