BannerSaver™ Helps Welcome Back Bayshore Marathon

Situation

Since 1983 the Bayshore Marathon has been attracting runners from across the country and beyond to Grand Traverse County. Hosted by the Traverse City Track Club and situated on the Old Mission Peninsula, this race has become a favorite of fitness enthusiasts due to its relatively flat course and scenic views. Disrupted by the pandemic like most public events, the Bayshore has not been able to have in-person participation since 2019. This Memorial Day weekend the Bayshore Marathon made its triumphant return and celebrated its 40th anniversary of hosting the beloved race. Looking for celebratory signage along with mile markers and directionals to keep racers on track at the marathon, the TC Track Club enlisted the expertise of longtime partner Britten Inc. and BannerSaver™ to go the distance.

Solution

For years, the TC Track Club has entrusted Britten Inc. and BannerSaver™ to meet the promotional and practical needs of the Bayshore. Swelling to nearly 8,000 runners across all races (a far cry from the humble 446 of the inaugural race) the Bayshore requires clear and durable signage to direct the multitude of runners. To keep the racers on track, the club opted for 100 coroplast column towers (color-coded to each race) for mile markers and waypoints. The club also entrusted Britten Inc. with the massive “Start” and “Finish” banners to send runners off and welcome them across the line. But this year, the real stand-out were the special order 48 light pole banners commending four decades of racing 26.2 miles. Though the TC Track Club usually reuses their Bayshore pole banners each year (a testament to the banner’s durability and BannerSaver’s™ protective qualities) this year they made the necessary splurge to order specific 40th anniversary pole banners. Secured with hardy BannerSaver™ hardware and on proud display along Grandview Parkway, these pole banners welcomed runners, informed of community-focused initiatives, and rightly exalted the longevity of the beloved Bayshore Marathon.

Impact

Working with Britten and the BannerSaver™ team, the Traverse City Track Club secured all the signage they needed to help make the 40th Bayshore Marathon a success. From the starting point to the finish line, Britten and BannerSaver™ provided the markers, signage, and prominent pole banners to make the highly anticipated return of this favorite race well worth the wait. “As a non-profit that returns hundreds of thousands of dollars back to the community, watching expenses is important” said Lisa Taylor, Executive Director of the Traverse City Track Club. “Our experience has shown that Britten’s BannerSaver™ brackets protects that banner investment and assures us that the banners will look great regardless of what spring weather throws at us.”