Resilience, Recovery, and Roads Less Traveled
For some, it’s about being the fastest to run a marathon. For 7 inspiring humans taking on 6 world-famous races, it’s about celebrating what we’re capable of in the face of adversity.
by Bailey Edwards
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26.2 miles may seem like a random distance, but fewer athletic endeavors hold as much prestige, and require as much grit, as the marathon.
And while crossing that finish line is an impressive feat, in the end, it’s more about the strength we find along the way to get to that point. That’s why Westin is teaming up with Raymond Braun for an incredible journey across 6 famed courses in the Abbott World Marathon Majors. From London ‘24 through Boston ‘25 — Braun is joined by six inspiring athletes who've used running to push through life's toughest moments.
It’s not about chasing records, although these athletes certainly break some. Instead, we're sharing real stories of hope, camaraderie, and the power of wellness to change lives. Westin believes in the transformative power of taking care of yourself, either during life's most challenging or joyous moments. So lace up your shoes and join us as we explore iconic cities, meet inspiring people, and celebrate the human spirit — one finish line at a time.
Discover the Races
The Marathons: The Six Star Journey
The rich history of the marathon’s origin is almost as captivating as the modern stories we tell from those bold enough to run them.
But centuries later, the tales around marathons remain just as fascinating — from world record times to personal stories of resilience that will never make the pages of history books, marathons have weaved through our lives inspiring hope, pride, and triumph. Whether a runner or a witness, the humans behind the 26.2 miles are just as distinct as the number on the race course.
Whether you’ve run a smaller marathon or the oldest on record (good morning, Boston!), in all likelihood, it’s a part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. For most seasoned runners, that’s not new information, but for those not in the (running) know — AWMM has something called the Six Star Journey. The stars represent 6 of the world’s major marathons, and completing them earns you the coveted Six Star Medal. At an accumulative 157.2 miles, that’s an incredible feat on its own. As of the 2024 London Marathon, there have only ever been 17,150 six-star finishers — so to brandish that achievement is not only impressive, but incredibly rare.
The marathons that together make the “six”, take place in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Westin’s Marathon Ambassador, Raymond Braun, will be running in every single one of those cities alongside another marathoner overcoming their own personal hurdles, to take on one of the hardest athletic feats out there.
A Breakdown of the Abbott World Marathon Majors
London Marathon
April 21, 2024
Estimated Spectators
750,000
Largest Field
43,965
Men's Record
2:02:37
Women's Record
2:17:01
iNAUGURAL RUNNING
1981
Berlin Marathon
September 29, 2024
Estimated Spectators
1M
Largest Field
46,983
Men's Record
2:01:09
Women's Record
2:11:53
iNAUGURAL RUNNING
1974
Chicago Marathon
October 13, 2024
Estimated Spectators
1.7M
Largest Field
45,932
Men's Record
2:00:35
Women's Record
2:13:44
iNAUGURAL RUNNING
1977
New York Marathon
November 3, 2024
Estimated Spectators
1M+
Largest Field
53,520
Men's Record
2:04:58
Women's Record
2:22:31
iNAUGURAL RUNNING
1970
Tokyo Marathon
March 2, 2025
Estimated Spectators
1M
Largest Field
35,460
Men's Record
2:04:40
Women's Record
2:16:02
iNAUGURAL RUNNING
2007
Boston Marathon
April 21, 2025
Estimated Spectators
500,000
Largest Field
35,868
Men's Record
2:03:02
Women's Record
2:19:59
iNAUGURAL RUNNING
1897
The Ambassador: Raymond Braun
Raymond Braun, a man who is equal parts marathon-runner, fitness influencer, and mental health advocate, is Westin’s Marathon Ambassador for a very specific reason — going well beyond the impressive records he’s broken.
Because behind his infectious smile and warm demeanor, is a man who just three years ago, had never run more than 3 miles in his life.
Struggling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder for most of his life, in 2020, Braun started a rehabilitation program. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the realization that he’d been living his life similarly to the way the rest of the world was during lockdown, in part, illuminated to him how much his OCD had impacted his life. Braun was confronted with the reality of the way he’d been clawing through life; juxtaposed with how he truly wanted to live his life.
“Finding the line between discipline and disorder, that’s where wellness comes in.”
Raymond BRAUN
Among other forms of therapy, his journey to healing started with simply doing a daily run, and fast forward to February 2023, Braun had set two World Records by completing 7 Olympic Distance triathlons on all 7 continents in 7 consecutive days. He’s continued to run a plethora of the world’s most renowned marathons, now with other athletes overcoming their own mental and/or physical hurdles, with the goal of destigmatizing myths and ideas about therapy and what it means to be “well.” Inspired by his own road while speaking openly about mental health, he also runs to honor his late friend, Maya Amoils, a mental health advocate and a fierce supporter for his own path to wellness. For Braun, the deeply personal has become proudly public; “finding the line between discipline and disorder, that’s where wellness comes in,” as Braun so aptly puts it. Recovery isn’t about reaching an impossible goal and stopping; it’s about the mindfulness it requires to make choices every single day that contribute to our ever-evolving minds, bodies, and lives.
Because Braun’s story isn’t about how to become the best — it’s about how to be the best version of yourself. Braun has world records, but they’re never for being the fastest. And he’s proud of that. In fact, he’ll tell you to look up his times to prove that very point; it’s about doing it — whether you do it in record time, or you finish last. It’s that ethos, the ethos of finding what excellence looks like in your own life, that inspired him to bring other people seeking the same version of excellence, and doing it with them, while sharing their inspiring stories along the way.
The Why: Raymond’s Wellness Sanctuary at Westin
Westin’s six wellness pillars are at the helm of their goal to provide balance while away from home — making sure anyone from a marathoner like Braun to a business executive can find the rest and recharge they need.
The six pillars; Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well — encapsulate what it means to find a robust approach to wellness all in one place. And while those seem like simple tenets of a well-balanced life, maintaining all at once (while in a brand new city) is much harder, if not sometimes impossible, to do. So establishing that balance, and accessing, with ease, all of those ways of living “well” — is a top priority at the 240+ properties across the world.
As Braun so eloquently put it, “Behind every runner is a ‘Why’ - a unique story of the motivation that propels them to the start line. I love nothing more than learning about my fellow runners’ ‘Why’ and sharing hope and encouragement to anyone on their fitness journey.” And at the end of the day, Westin is that “sanctuary” for these runners — allowing them an important touchpoint between races and much needed rest.
From wellness features like 2024’s launch of The Next Generation Heavenly® Bed, the guest-fave Run Concierge, and the signature WestinWORKOUT® offerings (including Fitness Studios with TRX fitness equipment, and its versatile Gear Lending program — giving guests access to the latest in recovery and strength training from Hyperice and Bala), to the delicious and nutritious menu offerings on the Eat Well menu, Westin is making sure that every stay can support individual wellness needs. And when the 2023 partnership with Abbott World Marathon Majors launched, they kicked wellness up a notch (well, 26.2 miles, to be exact).
“Behind every runner is a ‘Why’ - a unique story of the motivation that propels them to the start line.”
Raymond Braun
Within that partnership with AWMM, Raymond Braun’s ambassadorship represents the true nature of what it means to be active and mindful all while traveling — he, himself, who relies on his stays at the Westin to provide a restorative experience. It was an organic and obvious partnership — as runners around the world like Braun deeply value the importance of maintaining that routine while away, even if you’re not running a full Marathon (or 6!). Because at the end of the day (or at a 5 am race start), wellness is one of those things that is uniquely personal. For some, that’s access to a running club, a gym, and healthy food options to maintain a routine, despite where you’re located across the globe. For others, “staying well” might be getting the best rest of your life after exploring a new city, and that’s just as valuable. For Braun, it’s all of the above — but to quote him, “That Heavenly Bed, though!” In the end, the ultimate goal is to give you access to move and find stillness in the ways that make you feel truly well.
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The Places: To stay (and lay)
The Westin London City
With a stunning riverside location and gorgeous, glistening views over London’s historic River Thames, The Westin London City brings wellness to new heights. From waking up in your Westin Heavenly® Bed and sweating it out in The WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio, to taking a crisp, outdoor run while soaking in some of London’s most famed sights, you’ll have a restorative and explorative experience during your stay here.
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The Westin Grand Berlin
Located at the Boulevard Unter den Linden, and perfectly situated in the Berlin city, The Westin Grand Berlin’s noteworthy address is matched only by the onsite amenities. From the Run Concierge to a soothing post-workout sauna, staying here gives you the ideal balance of experiencing the historical gems, while finding ways to recharge. And if you stay during Berlin's marathon weekend (Sep. 29th), you’ll get access to complimentary race weekend wellness offerings.
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The Places: To stay (and lay)
The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago
Strolling down Michigan Avenue and taking in the views of sprawling Lake Michigan is a sight to see in and of itself. And after a day of shopping on that famed street, you can maintain your routine with the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, featuring Peloton bikes — continuing to nourish yourself, eating and drinking well at 909 North or Café a la Carte. It really is all about balance.
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The Places: To stay (and lay)
The Westin Times Square
The lights. The sights. And the (very curated) delights at The Westin Times Square. Located in arguably the most iconic square in the world, with every train at your immediate convenience (and most things in walking distance!), once you’ve soaked in New York City, return to your room or suite, where your Westin Heavenly® Bed and Heavenly® Bath await. And start, or end, your day savoring a meal at the vibrant Foundry Kitchen & Bar.
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The Places: To stay (and lay)
The Westin Tokyo
With its recent large-scale renovation, The Westin Tokyo uniquely balances tradition while modernizing and evolving as it approaches its 30th anniversary. With its re-opening, this property aims to be the true “Urban Wellness Hotel” — offering all the newest wellness amenities in one place. Beyond working out, eating well, and sleeping well — you can also “work well”, with Bright Breaks, giving you mid-morning stretches so you can be perfect limber for whatever the day may bring.
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The Places: To stay (and lay)
The Westin Copley Place
This AAA Four-Diamond hotel in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston is as close as you can get to the famed Boston Marathon’s finish line (and the city’s most notable attractions). But even if you’re not a Marathon Monday fan yourself, you can exercise at the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio with Pelotons, eat at the delicious on-site restaurants, and relax in the chic and incredibly comfortable rooms and suites.
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