This is a great course that almost makes you wish you could keep going. Easy access to start and finish areas keep the feeling more relaxed than a big-city race. The course, date, and runner limit should be maintained as they are. This small town supports the race very well. I'll be back!

Very well-organized, with good after-run foods. Fans were very supportive. Course was relatively flat. Unlike others, I like the technical T-shirt. It is not covered with logos on the back.

The 10K race seemed like an afterthought. My wife was a little displeased: no medal, only cotton T-shirt, and the food was sparse.

It was a great race and a great weekend. The organization of the race was flawless. Food was great. I didn't mind the shirt. The course was amazing. I took my family to drive it after the race so they could see it, it was so beautiful.

Their weren't a ton of spectators, but that would be expected due to the location.

If only it hadn't been so blazing hot!!

I love this marathon; it's one of the best by far. This is my 2nd year, and I've done half marathons elsewhere. Bayshore is the best!

I have to say: The T-shirt design needs much improvement, please. It looks like a bird pooped on my T-shirt. We pay for the fee of our run... I hope you can come up with a nice design for next year!

I love this race. Each year seems better than the last.

The course follows the gorgeous Grand Traverse Bay. It is composed mostly of gently rolling hills. Definitely not flat, but nothing to be afraid of either. The roads are quite crowned, though, so be prepared for that. The course is partially closed, with very limited traffic on the open sections. The volunteers are plentiful, friendly and helpful. There aren't large quantities of spectators, but those who do come out are encouraging and helpful (turning on sprinklers, etc.). The finish is at Northwestern Michigan College - on the track. Very nice and convenient for meeting up with family and friends. This year, the temps were a bit warm... into the 80s. But that was unusually hot.

The organization is wonderful. Plenty of info on logistics. Fantastic medal. Technical t's are ok (the women's run so short and small!). Website is unattractive but helpful.

My only suggestion? Gatorade closer to finish. After such a hot day, it was excruciating to walk across the field to get to food/beverages. Once I got there, though... wow. Coldstone, pretzels, bananas, cookies... everything you could want.

This is a "must do" marathon in a beautiful, lovely resort town that is friendly and very affordable. This has become a Memorial Day tradition for us.

What a beautiful run and morning. It really does not get better than this. The volunteers were great, the people who came out were great and the view was the best. I will come back in the future.

Definitely a PR course! The only minor complaint would be the T-shirt.

This is my 5th year in a row. The event just keeps on getting better every year.

This is a great marathon. What I like:

Scenic course - out-and-back, and flat, and fast. The half marathon starts from the midpoint and provides fun on the way out.

Good crowds. Great food and plenty of it at the end - ice cream, fruit, bread and cheese.

Lots of community - 10K, half and full.

Nice environmental emphasis.

What to improve:

Expo - why did they quiz me about my address, age, etc. before giving me my bib? It just slowed the process and there was an unnecessary line.

Tents - add more tents at the finish (shade if it is sunny, and cover for the rain...).

This is the perfect, small-size marathon, with a maximum of 2,000 runners. Very well organized. The course of the marathon is mostly on a tree-lined road with a wonderful view of the lake. The climate is also perfect - probably 55 with a nice breeze at times. The crowds are cheering enough, but not loud as in marathons in big cities. The food after the marathon is the best in the world. The yummiest cookies I have eaten! They also had Cold Stone ice cream, fruit, beer, yummy bread, cheeses. By far the best food I have had after finishing a marathon.

This was my first time running a marathon, and I was very impressed. Although I cannot compare it to other marathons, I completely agree with all the other posts as far as the outstanding overall quality. The course was a beautiful - slightly rolling, overlooking the water. The volunteers were exceptional. I never had any problems getting fluids or knowing where I was in the course due to their amazing work. The finish on the track is a great way to end. I have done a great number of shorter distance racing, and I can with confidence say they had the best finishing stations... (ice cream!? absolutely amazing!). From sign-up to leaving the Traverse City area, this race was easy and fun. I will definitely race it again in the future.