In celebration of Global Running Day, Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International Inc., has announced its official and exclusive partnership with the Melbourne Marathon. As the exclusive marathon hotel partner, Westin Hotels & Resorts is offering activations and exclusive ticket and package options for its Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program members and marathon runners. As Australia's largest marathon, the event attracts runners from across the globe with over 30,000 people expected to take part again in 2019.

Taking place on 13 October, the Melbourne Marathon has become a mainstay in the Australian sporting capital's yearly calendar of events and is a celebration of the city of Melbourne, its landmarks and its people.

The course runs past some of Melbourne's most iconic landmarks including Flinders Street Station, Albert Park Lake, Luna Park, the Tan Track by the War Memorial and Federation Square before finishing off with a lap of honour on the hallowed turf at the MCG in front of a 35,000 strong crowd.

“We are thrilled to launch this inaugural partnership between Westin Hotels & Resorts and the Melbourne Marathon. Attracting thousands of participants each year, the Melbourne Marathon celebrates and encourages an active lifestyle, which complements Westin's pillars of wellbeing,” said Sean Hunt, Area Vice President, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, Marriott International.

“This new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to enhancing our guests' wellbeing - to eat, sleep, move, work and play well, so that they can be the best versions of themselves, even while on the road.”

As the marathon's official hotel partner, Westin Hotels & Resorts will offer a post-race recovery zone for both runners and Marriott Bonvoy members to stretch and hydrate. Marriott Bonvoy members will also have access to exclusive stay and run packages and VIP ticket options. Additionally, Chris Heuisler, the Westin Hotels & Resorts Global Run Concierge, will be virtually helping members and marathon runners prep for the race by offering insider training tips and hints online.

The new partnership reflects Westin Hotels & Resorts' 'Move Well' philosophy and the brand's commitment to creating the best environment for guests to maintain their active lifestyles during their stay.

Westin Hotels & Resorts around the world offer a 'RunWESTIN' program, providing guests with a choice of the best running tracks across the city. Running maps of Melbourne are available specifically from The Westin Melbourne Concierge desk and feature two routes (4.8km and 8km) making them the perfect complement to any Marathon training program. In addition, guests have the option of joining a group run led by Westin Hotels & Resorts' Run Concierge, which is available by appointment.

Empowered to enhance their well-being while travelling, guests also have access to WestinWORKOUT Rooms, offering the convenience of exercising in your own room; WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studios and a Gear Lending Program in partnership with New Balance® which enables guests to borrow runners and active wear to use during their stay for only $5AUD.

The Melbourne Marathon is the latest international marathon partnership undertaken by Westin Hotels & Resorts, in addition to the Tokyo Marathon – recognised as one of the seven World Marathon Majors – and the Shanghai Marathon, which passes through the city's iconic Bund waterfront district.

Marriott International offers four hotels and over 890 rooms in Melbourne including The Westin Melbourne, Melbourne Marriott Hotel, Sheraton Hotel Melbourne and Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands. 

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACTS

GTI Tourism on behalf of Marriott International:

Abbey Sands

Senior Account Manager

abbey.sands @gtitourism.com.au // 02 8077 3550

About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, hospitality's global leader in wellness for more than a decade, empowers guests to transcend the rigors of travel while on the road through the brand's Six Pillars of Well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well.  At more than 225 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, guests can experience wellness offerings, including the brand's iconic and award-winning Heavenly Bed; game-changing gear lending program, TRX fitness equipment in signature WestinWORKOUT™ Fitness Studios; delicious and nutritious menu offerings, and more.  Stay connected to Westin: @westin on Twitter and Instagram and facebook.com/Westin. Westin is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott's travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz- Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy is the company's new travel program built on the belief that travel enriches its members and the world around them. Launching in February 2019, Marriott Bonvoy replaces Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). Comprised of a portfolio of extraordinary brands where you can earn and redeem, as well as offering approximately 120,000 destination tours and adventures on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, the travel program enables members to explore the world in pursuit of their passions. Under Marriott Bonvoy's five Elite tiers, status is more achievable than ever. With a single currency, earning and redeeming points is faster and simpler, and members can accelerate the points they earn with co-branded credit cards from Chase and American Express. When members book direct on Marriott.com they receive all the perks that come with Elite status, including, free and enhanced Wi-Fi and exclusive member-only rates, and on the Marriott app they enjoy mobile check-in and checkout, Mobile Requests and, wherever available, Mobile Key. In addition to featuring a powerful travel program, Marriott.com also offers 30 extraordinary brands to book, endless experiences and the best available rates. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit MeetMarriottBonvoy.marriott.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travellers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter  and Instagram. 

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 131 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world.  The company now offers one travel program, Marriott Bonvoy™, replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®(SPG).  For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.