Disclaimer: Sorry for the self-serving blog post, but knowing about this deal between Athletic-Minded Traveler and Hyatt will help millions of traveling runners/joggers.

Guests of Hyatt hotels throughout North America will be able to run outdoors along a custom route designed by yours truly and the rest of the AMT team.

As part of its StayFit@Hyatt program, colorful 2-8 mile route maps with written directions are now available via the hotels' concierges, fitness centers and front desks. Now all of you runners out there have absolutely NO excuse to skip the morning jog.

Look for online maps on each individual Hyatt site to soon be available as well.

See the full press release below:

HYATT HOTELS & RESORTS TEAMS WITH ATHLETIC-MINDED TRAVELER® TO ADD CUSTOMIZED RUN ROUTES TO ITS STAYFIT@HYATT PROGRAM

Joggers and walkers enjoy fresh air with confidence thanks to palm-size route maps

CHICAGO (September 9, 2008) - Athletic-Minded Traveler® today announced that Hyatt Hotels & Resorts' North American properties will provide jogging and fitness-walking guests with palm-size route cards designed by Athletic-Minded Traveler®, a leading healthy-travel and lifestyle media firm. Hyatt is the first major hospitality company to partner with Athletic-Minded Traveler and will feature the maps as part of the StayFit@Hyatt program at participating Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt properties.

Enhancing the dynamic selection of StayFit@Hyatt workout programs that cater to fitness-conscious business and leisure travelers, these easy-to-carry cards will provide runners and walkers of all levels with essential information to help them follow healthy pursuits while away from home. The Athletic-Minded Traveler maps offer detailed directions on one side (beginning at each property's front door) and a colorful map with mileage markers on the other (routes range from 2 to 8 miles). The unique tools encourage runners to head outdoors by answering the vital questions "Where?" and "How far?"

"Our staff of active-lifestyle experts is extremely proud to provide Hyatt guests with individually-researched route maps," says Jim Kaese, Co-Founder of San Diego-based Athletic-Minded Traveler, LLC. "Because jogging and walking are the most popular endurance activities for North Americans (e.g., even the frequent running population - 100+ days/year - is estimated at an impressive 16 million, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association) runners will always be the largest group of Hyatt guests in search of a quality fitness experience. By offering this resource, Hyatt conveys to the running and fitness-walking communities that it understands their plight of identifying legitimate routes while staying in unfamiliar destinations and aspires to accommodate their healthy lifestyle choices."

"This new service from Athletic-Minded Traveler adds a valuable component to our StayFit@Hyatt program," said Gordon Tareta, Vice President of Spa Operations for Global Hyatt Corporation. "Every participating property has been assessed by Athletic-Minded Traveler staff which is made up of fitness-conscious individuals who share our guests' interest in
living a healthy lifestyle. Athletic-Minded Traveler shares Hyatt's dedication to providing uncompromising service and is an ideal partner."