TRAVERSE CITY — The Bayshore Marathon has been named one of the top 50 Boston Marathon qualifying races in the country by FindMyMarathon.com, adding national recognition to an event that has long been a favorite among runners chasing a coveted Boston qualifying time.
The honor comes as the race prepares for its 44th running, a milestone year that also brings a significant upgrade: official USATF sanctioning. That designation means elite runners who post a qualifying time at Bayshore can now use it to enter the U.S. Olympic Trials, a first for the event.
“We’ve taken the extra steps to make sure that we have the proper sanctioning and certification, so that if someone does run a time that qualifies them for the Olympic trials, they’re able to do that in Traverse City at the Bayshore Marathon,” said Race Director Joe Dimambro.
Dimambro said the response has been immediate. The elite field this year is the most competitive Bayshore has ever seen, and organizers are adding aid stations specifically to support those top-tier athletes. All registration slots for the marathon, half-marathon, and 10K have sold out, though waitlists remain active and spots do open up.
The Bayshore course has built its reputation on a combination of scenic beauty and fast conditions. The route runs along Grand Traverse Bay and is relatively flat, removing the elevation challenges that can slow runners on other courses. For years, that has made it a destination for runners looking to hit the specific pace required for a Boston Marathon entry.
But Dimambro emphasized that the event is about far more than elite competition. Thousands of participants will toe the line on race weekend, from first-time finishers to veterans running their 20th event.
“Whether you’re crossing the finish line first or you’re the last person out there on the course, it is a major accomplishment,” Dimambro said. “People cross that same exact finish line. They get that same exact medal.”
The race is organized by the Traverse City Track Club, a nonprofit that reinvests registration revenue directly into the community. Those funds support infrastructure grants for paved trails and scholarships for local high school students continuing their education in college.
For residents who aren’t lacing up running shoes, Dimambro said there are still plenty of ways to be part of the weekend, from volunteering to setting up impromptu cheer stations along the course.
“It really is a community-owned event,” he said. “That doesn’t happen without the community really buying in and seeing the value in it.”
Dimambro encouraged newcomers to consider the 10K as an entry point, noting that many runners start there before working up to the half marathon and eventually the full 26.2 miles. He pointed to local running clubs, the Traverse City Track Club, and specialty stores like Fleet Feet as welcoming resources for anyone looking to get started.
“Everyone’s designed to move their bodies,” Dimambro said. “It’s just a matter of getting on your feet for a little bit longer than you did the day before.”