Runs

Sightseeing on the Run

Running tours offer a new way for fit-minded travellers to soak up the sights of a city.

January 12, 2009

HOTELS FOR FITNESS BUFFS

As the interest in running and other fitness pursuits continues to grow, more hotels are offering special amenities for the fitness-minded traveller.

The all-suite Westin Grand Vancouver, for instance, has been catering to runners and other fitness buffs since 2005, when Westin Hotels and Resorts launched Westin WorkOut. Eric Eikeland, director of sales and marketing at the all-suite downtown hotel, says Westin was first to introduce the branded hotel health club concept, which includes a state-of-the-art-gym, plus special suites outfitted with fitness equipment and paraphernalia such as a treadmill or stationary bicycle, a Pilates ball, hand weights, fitness magazines and DVDs. 

Not long after the launch of WestinWorkout, RunWestin was introduced and is now available in 31 Westin hotels and resorts. The program offers runners complimentary running maps (each map has several choices of runs with varying lengths), bottled water, a towel handed out by the doorman on the runner’s return, plus – on request – a running buddy. During a recent stay in one of their Fit Suites, on-call “running concierge” Shane Sullivan was my running companion on one of Vancouver’s most popular and scenic running routes – the Seawall. 

Eikeland, himself a runner for the last seven years, points out, “Our business travellers are consistently using these services not only to maintain a routine, but as an oasis from the road-warrior lifestyle.” They’re also beginning to see requests from leisure travellers, he says. For runners who like to work in stretching activities on days they don’t run – the Westin Grand also offers weekly yoga classes. 

Sharon Cohen, executive director of loyalty marketing at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, says they rolled out their Fairmont Fit program, mostly targeted to their President Club Members (it’s free to join) in the spring of 2007. “We provide clothing, shoes, MP3 players and running maps to guests free of charge,” she says. She adds that running maps – of two- to five-mile routes – have been tested by Adidas running specialists. At the moment, 36 hotels in North America participate in the program and by year’s end all properties in the Fairmont chain (except hotels in Africa) will be offering Fairmont Fit. I tested it out at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Miami and was impressed with the quality and seamlessness of the program.    

Billed as “an executive fitness suite hotel,” New York’s Affinia Dumont offers guests customized Stay Fit Kits for those into yoga, running or walking.  Running kits include a map, pedometer and an iPod pre-loaded with tunes that can be selected by running pace in beats per minute. Brook Jennings, PR director for Affinia Hotels, says they’re currently working with City Running Tours and now plan to expand that alliance to all their hotels, which include another four in New York, plus those in Washington, D.C. and Chicago. The hotel’s commitment to their “fitness position” included the removal of about half a dozen quest rooms to accommodate a gym and spa. The hotel also has an on-staff certified trainer, plus a fitness concierge who can offer guests suggestions on fitness activities taking place in the city. 

As hotels and resorts in various parts of the world jump on the fitness bandwagon at a healthy pace, it’s becoming easier for fit-minded travellers to stick to a routine when on the road.    

 

Running Tour Companies

CANADA

Quebec Jogging Tours
Quebecjoggingtours.com – Quebec City, Montreal  

 

USA

City Running Tours
Cityrunningtours.com – New York, Washington (D.C), Chicago, Austin, San Diego, Charleston (South Carolina).  

Off’n Running Tours
Offnrunningtours.com – Beverly Hills, Los Angeles

 

ITALY

SightJogging
Sightjogging.it – Rome 

 

GERMANY

Mike’s SightRunning
Mikes-sightrunning.de – Berlin 

 

ARGENTINA

Urban Running Tour
Urbanrunningtour.com.ar – Buenos Aires

 

WHERE TO STAY – Fit-minded Hotels 

Affinia Hotels
Affiniahotels.com  

Fairmont Hotel & Resorts
Fairmont.com/fpc/fit 

Westin Hotels & Resorts
Starwoodhotels.com/westin/workout 

 

Anne Dimon is a runner and founder/editor of www.traveltowellness.com.