On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! Miami Sports & Wellness Month Begins!

Miami and the Beaches is first destination to offer its visitors running routes created by expert runners and linked to mobile app

MIAMI, April 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is proud to announce the expansion of Miami Sports Month to Miami Sports & Wellness Month sponsored by Citibank. Miami Sports & Wellness Month offers visitors and locals a variety of special offers and programs to keep a healthy body, soul and mind. This year's program introduces the first-ever running expert guided routes that sync seamlessly to user's mobile app.For a listing of all offers and events during Miami Sports Month, log on to www.MiamiSportsMonth.com.

Miami Sports & Wellness Month kicked off yesterday at Museum Park with the Miami Mascot Madness Race, featuring nine local mascot favorites competing to win a donation to their organization's charity of choice. TD of the Miami Dolphins took home the gold and received a $3,000 donation from the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau to the Miami Dolphins Foundation. Coming in at 2nd place was Obie of the Orange Bowl, who received a silver medal and a $1,500 donation on behalf of the GMCVB for the Orange Bowl Youth Leadership Academy. The 3rd place winner was Sebastian the Ibis from the University of Miami who received a bronze medal and a $500 donation on behalf of the GMCVB for the United Way of Miami-Dade.Open to the public, this free event also included fun games and cool giveaways for those who attended.

During the month of April, enjoy special offers to fitness classes, golf, tennis, bicycling, water sports, CrossFit, yoga studios, gyms, and more. Running enthusiasts specifically are encouraged to race over to try the newest addition to the destination's Sports and Wellness scene called Miami's Best Running Routes. Spanning every area of the community, these routes have been specially created by Miami's own Chief Running Officer Frankie Ruiz.

It's no secret that the best way to explore a destination is by foot and Greater Miami and the Beaches has popular sites and hidden gems to discover from its pristine beaches and National Parks to art museums and heritage neighborhoods. Co-founder & Chief Running Officer of the Miami Marathon & Half Marathon, Frankie Ruiz is inviting runners to lace up their running shoes and join him on tours of the best running routes Miami has to offer.

"No matter what your skill level or terrain preference, we've got a route for you," said Frankie Ruiz. "We've mapped out routes for runners and walkers, explorers and adventurers, so everyone can experience the destination at their own pace. We're encouraging everyone to grab their running shoes and hit the road; it's an exhilarating way to get a true taste of Miami."

Special Offers
There are a number of special offers and events taking place throughout the destination to satisfy everyone from beginners looking to try something new, to longtime athletes hoping to take their skills to the next level. For more information about these and other special offers visit MiamiSportsMonth.com

A few events and offer highlights outlined below. For full details and terms, please visit www.MiamiSportsMonth.com:

• Miami Marlins: Save up to 20% off on Marlins tickets during Miami Sports & Wellness Month. Valid only for home games at Marlins Park from April 6 - 21, 2016.
• Miami Open: Kick off Miami Sports & Wellness Month at the Miami Open presented by Ita. On April 1 during Session 21 mention Miami Sports & Wellness Month and pay with your Citibank card to receive a 10% discount off your 400 level tickets. Offer valid for day session only.
• MIAMI MARATHON & HALF MARATHON: Use code16MIAMISPORTS at check out for $10 off your registration to the 15th Annual Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.
• Miami EcoAdventures: All Key Biscayne Kayak Adventures are buy one get one half off.
• Sailboards Miami Watersports: Stand Up Paddle Board, Kayak, Windsurf Rentals are rent one hour, get 50% off second rental or second hour.
• mySpa at the InterContinental Miami: Buy 2 months fitness membership and receive the 3rd month for free (blackouts/limitations apply).
• Miami Watersports Complex: Enjoy buy one get one free offer valid for new customers. This experience includes a private wakeboard lesson on a 90 acre fresh water lake followed by four hours of riding on two full sized cable systems. Equipment is included for free.

Events

• Longines Global Champions Tour
  Miami Beach will once more be the thrilling launch destination for the 2016 LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR, with the revolutionary Global Champions League also making its debut at this stunning destination. The world's foremost show jumping series returns to the US continent bringing Olympic-level sport to the world-famous Miami Beach location on America's East Coast.

Date: April 7-9 th
Time: 8:00 am 5:00 pm
Location: Collins Park, Miami Beach

• Viceroy Miami's Rooftop Mini-Golf Happy Hour Kickoff
  Come by the official kickoff of Miami's only rooftop mini-golf happy hour at Viceroy Miami. Guests are invited to enjoy a fun game of putt-putt on a 9-hole course setup around the club's private pool surrounded by scenic views of the city and Biscayne Bay. There will also be a pop-up taco stand presented by COYO Taco for signature, delectable bites, in addition to specialty cocktails, including a spiked Arnold Palmer.

Date: April 6, 2016
Time: 5-10PM
Location: FIFTY Ultra Lounge at Viceroy Miami
485 Brickell Ave., Miami, FL 33131

Following the kickoff event, Viceroy Miami's rooftop happy hour will continue throughout Miami Sports & Wellness Month. Happy hour specials range from $5 to $8 and participation in mini golf costs $10 per person/per round. Note: the COYO Taco pop-up will be present on April 15.

Date: April 15, April 20, April 27
Time: 5-10PM
Location: Rooftop at Viceroy Miami
485 Brickell Ave., Miami, FL 33131

• 9th Annual Miami International Agriculture, Horse & Cattle Show
  Cattle breeders from North America, South America and throughout the world will meet during the 9th Annual Miami International Agriculture, Horse & Cattle Show. Enjoy live music, educational booths, agri-business and livestock product vendors, equestrian shows, dog obedience demonstrations, kids' activities and much more.

Date: April 15-17, 2016
Location: Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center at Tropical Park
7900 SW 40th St., Miami, FL 33155

• 25 th Annual H.O.T. Challenge Golf Tournament
  The GMCVB organizes the Hospitality Open Golf Tournament (H.O.T.) to fund scholarships for men and women of African heritage committed to working in the local visitor industry upon their graduation, as well as the GMCVB's Multicultural & Tourism programs. All proceeds from the H.O.T. Challenge benefit the Black Hospitality Initiative (BHI) African-American Scholarship Fund. The BHI is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 1991 by the GMCVB to increase and expand the participation by African Americans in Miami-Dade County's visitor industry. Visit the HotChallenge.com for more details.

Date: May 13, 2016
Time: 7:00 am
Location: Miami Beach Golf Club - 2301 Alton Road, Miami, FL 33140

"It's energizing to see the assortment of fitness and wellness options that have come to life in Greater Miami and the Beaches. From our special facilities, such as the Miami Watersports Complex, to doing yoga on our beautiful beaches and runners hitting the Venetian causeway at sunset, Miami provides a versatile and culture-filled playground for an active lifestyle," said GMCVB President & CEO William D. Talbert, III, CDME. "We are proud to be the first destination to provide running routes directly connected to your hand held device, in addition to culturally curated routes through some of Miami and the Beaches' most dynamic and colorful neighborhoods."

Share Your #MiamiSports Month Moments for Chance to Win
Share with us your scenic Miami images on social media of how you're keeping it sporty, fit and positive in Miami and theBeaches for your chance to win one of three $50 gift cards and Miami Prize Packs. Whether you're exploring running routes and taking in the sights, kayaking through Oleta State Park, paddleboarding on Biscayne Bay, golfing on your favorite course or striking your most challenging yoga pose, we want to see your 'be well' moments. Be sure to include #MiamiSports when posting your photos on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter for your chance to win. Winners will be chosen and notified at the end of Miami Sports & Wellness Month.

Miami Sports & Wellness Month is part of the GMCVB's increasingly popular Miami Temptations Program, sponsored by Citibank, which takes a thematic focus on the best that Miami has to offer throughout the year at attractive prices. Other programs include Miami Cruise Month (January), Miami Romance Month (February), Shop Miami Month (March), Miami Museum Month (May), Miami Film Month (June), Miami Spa Month (July-August), Miami Spice Restaurant Month (August-September), Miami Attractions Month (October), Miami Live Month (November) and Miami Heritage Month (December). For more information on the Miami Temptations programs please visit www.MiamiTemptations.com.

Editor's Note: Visuals and interviews with attractions management are available upon request.

About The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an independent accredited not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for leisure, business and conventions.For a vacation guide visit our website at www.MiamiandBeaches.com or call 1-888-76-Miami (US/Canada only) or 305-447-7777. To reach the GMCVB offices dial 305-539-3000. Meeting planners may call 1-800-933-8448 (US/Canada only) or 305-539-3071 or visit www.MiamiMeetings.com. To get further engaged with Miami and the Beaches, join the conversation by following us on our social media channels at Facebook.com/visitmiami, Twitter.com/miamiandbeaches, Instagram.com/miamiandbeaches and Pinterest.com/miamiandbeaches.

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2700, Miami, Florida 33131 USA
305/539-3084, Fax 305/539-2911
http://www.MiamiandBeaches.com
E-Mail: Media@MiamiandBeaches.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/visitmiami
Twitter: Twitter.com/miamiandbeaches
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