Getting into any of the Abbott World Marathon Majors is no easy feat, with many runners spending years trying to qualify or countless hours raising money for charity to gain entry into these prestigious races.
But now, there’s a hack for marathon hopefuls: If you’ve been stacking up Marriott Bonvoy points, you can use them to score a coveted spot in all six of these major races—no qualifying times or amount of fundraising needed.
Thanks to a new partnership between Westin Hotels & Resorts and the Abbott World Marathon Majors, Marriott Bonvoy members can now bid their points for bibs in iconic races like Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. For those who have already spent plenty of time in Marriott hotels, this is your chance to bypass the usual barriers and snag a spot in these sought-after races.
Manage to be the highest bidder, and the perks go beyond just entry.
High bidders will not only get a race bib but also a two-night stay at The Westin in the marathon city of their choice, plus VIP access to the finishers’ tent and Westin’s Marathon Recovery Zone, meaning you can also enjoy access to Hyperice Gear Lending Kits, a pre-race carb-loading dinner, and a post-race spa treatment (I mean, that part sounds pretty dreamy, if you ask me).
First up is the Tokyo Marathon on March 2, 2025, and bidding for that race is already open, and will close on October 15, 2024. Now, when we say you need to have clocked enough nights at the Marriott to win this bid, we’re not joking. At the time of writing, the highest bid was set at 502,500 points.
So, if you’re a runner who might not meet the demanding qualification standards, get lucky in the lottery, or won’t be able to meet charity fundraising requirements but still want the thrill of completing a world-class marathon, this could be the chance for you.
As long as you’ve been clocking enough nights at Marriott, this might just be your ticket to one of the most exclusive marathon experiences around.
If you have enough points and are keen on putting in a bid, head to the Marriott Bonvoy Moments website HERE.
