Does anyone know of oppotunities to get miles for sporting events (marathons and road races)? With many marathons and races using centralized registrations through services like "Do It Sports," I was wondering if there are any that partner with airlines and offer miles for registering? Normally the only miles I get are through the credit card used for registration, but I'd love to get a few more (after all, why else run 26.2 on a day off ).
Thanks!

I have been looking for this for quite some time, as you might have imagined...

MM

I do think if you get like 2,500 Frontier Airlines miles you can convert them into ski tickets at some western resorts, but I know of nothing yet that lets you earn when doing excercise... Except maybe paying for my gym membership with my NWA visa...

Hmmm.... interesting concept. I've never seen it, and the only miles I get are for paying via credit card, and for flying to the races.

...off to the Walt Disney World half-marathon this weekend. Weeee!!

Since the runners seem to be here: I just moved into a new place, the roads around here aren't the greatest for running, it's nowhere near my old gym, so I'm thinking about getting a treadmill for this time of year. Anyone know of any good mileage deals for those? It won't be the #1 factor in my choice, the treadmill has to be right first, but all things being equal it could be a factor and might in any case determine where I get it.

Well, there is a somewhat questionable way to earm miles on these types of events, where you can raise money for a charity...

If your friends and family don't need the tax-deduction, then have them give you cash or a check in your name. Then donate the money with your miles earning credit-card. You get the tax-deduction and you get the miles.

This is really great if your friends and family don't own property or just can't itemize their deductions. If they can't itemize then there's no point for them to donate directly to a charity as it will not benefit their taxes in any way. The question is, are you honest enough to donate this money, and should you benefit from others' good deeds?

http://www.andrewcram.com/frequentflyer1.html

Efrem -- Depending on the FF program you're on, you probably want to check to see if their in-flight mail-order catalog includes a fitness store. Either that, or maybe a Sharper Image or Hammacher Schlemmer type place. I know at least with United, they had some special promotion going where you earned extra miles if you shopped from their SkyMall catalog last year.

Obviously, putting it on your FF credit card will help, too.

The biggest problem would probably be in purchasing a treadmill that you haven't tested. I'd be leery of making such a purchase; it's one thing to have use a treadmill for a few workouts at the hotel gym, and another to own one that serves as your primary workout machine. You might want to look at past issues of Consumer Reports to see which models they recommend. [Actually, I think their January '05 issue is a fitness issue that includes a list of recommended dreadmills.]

My reply is a little off topic but.....wait a few weeks. As New Years resolutions start to fade the classified ads, yard sales, garages sales will be full of them..

A little more on topic.... Is to incorporate a MR into a destination run. A few years back I ran, trotted would be more precise the Tampa Marathon and picked up ~5000 miles on the flights to/from. Also could incorporate Idine and partner hotels.

We give miles as incentives for fundraisers for our walk and bike events, raise $750 get a thousand AAdvantage miles up to raise $6,000 get 10,000 miles (or a free ticket for the 48 states at $9,000). To most people here that's not a real incentive, but to lots of people it is. There are other choices at each level too besides the miles.

So it's possible, though I don't know how you could find a list of other groups who do the same. If the event is being sponsored by an airline, there is a good chance.

And before anybody asks, many people skip the prizes and just turn in the money.

Still looking, but if anyone cares, I did find that AA is offering 10% off full fare and 5% off reduced fare for runners and family members coming to the Chicago Marathon.

Shouldn't this thread be located in the Mileage Run forum?

Not exactly what you're looking for, but Active.com offers some sort of AA flight discounts to its "Active Advantage" members. I looked into it about two years ago but I was never able to find anyone who could lay out unambiguous, concise terms and conditions of the flight discounts.

Active Advantage also comes with so-called rental car and hotel discounts which I was able to confirm are absolutely worthless. But...the AA discount is potentially worth something.

The code is S03H5AC for those who are interested. Worked for a few bucks off of my MCI-ORD ticket to this year's marathon. I'm finally getting around to running Chicago...

Yes.

http://www.cityofhope.org/walkforhop...ive/hilton.htm