How to Use Marriott Points for a Spot in the Abbott World Marathon Majors

Like many mildly sporty people out there, I had occasionally wondered what it would be like to run a marathon, but I never took any real steps toward finding out. Then, Westin called.

Or, more specifically, a Westin Hotels & Resorts rep sent me an email announcing the WestinWorkout Gear Lending program, which made fitness recovery and training tools available to guests, and the brand’s partnership with Abbot World Marathon Majors. They would be offering runners everything from a recovery concierge to provide tips and kits, to poster-designing stations for supporters, to curated itineraries to help runners make the most of their race destinations. They wanted to know if I would come run the London Marathon and try it all out. Not knowing what I was getting into, I said yes.

What would unfold over the next four months was a whirlwind of learning and training at home and abroad that would mentally and physically aid my recovery from thyroid cancer and have a lasting impact on my life. Westin was kind enough to set me up with a coach, Chris Heuisler, who is both Westin Hotels & Resorts’ global run concierge and a knowledgeable man with incredible patience. He put me on a schedule and next thing I knew, my family and friends were flying across the pond to cheer me on as I laced up my size-too-big Sauconys. Completing the 2024 London Marathon was an opportunity I never expected to have and will never forget.

I think there are likely elite runners out there who feel offended when us “regular people” are given the opportunity to enter a prestigious Abbot World Marathon Major, and I understand. They’ve trained longer and harder to qualify for a coveted spot, and it’s not easy to get in. But I would argue there’s space for all of us (in fact, they’ll probably never even breathe the same air as us people in the back), and anyway, it might just be the regular people — the ones who have never experienced the level of motivation and sense of accomplishment these races can bring — who need it most. I’m also proud to note I raised almost $8,000 for charity in the process. I’m a believer that we all deserve a shot at a runner’s high, as long as we’re willing to try for it. That’s why I was so excited to hear about Marriott’s latest announcement.

For the first time ever, Marriott Bonvoy members can now bid points for running bibs in all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. That’s 26.2 miles in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, or New York City. I’ve been traveling much longer than I’ve been running, and I will vouch that there is no better way to see a city. I don’t think I’ll ever look at London the same after feeling the momentum of the crowd carrying me over Tower Bridge or the pain and satisfaction of knowing I earned that finish line view of Buckingham Palace. (Yes, I’m one of those people now. But you could be too!)

Tokyo is up first on March 2, 2025, and bidding is open now through Oct. 15. The other races will follow. As someone who typically uses her Marriott Bonvoy points to sit in a box at Crypto.com Arena and drink Champagne while watching other people play sports, this feels much more productive, to say the least.

For the highest bidders, the experience includes a marathon race bib; a two-night stay at The Westin Tokyo; VIP entry to the marathon finishers’ tent and Westin’s Marathon Recovery Zone; access to Hyperice Gear Lending Kits; and two of my personal favorite parts of the experience, a pre-race carb-loading dinner and post-race spa treatment to ease those aching muscles.

Ready to train for Tokyo? You can start bidding through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments platform now.