Dave McGillivray Ready for 45th Straight Boston Marathon on April 17

McGillivray will direct race and then run course in the evening in support of the Martin Richard Foundation’s Team MR8

BOSTON (April 6, 2017) – Renowned race director, endurance athlete and running philanthropist Dave McGillivray is set to run his 45^th consecutive Boston Marathon on April 17, this year as part of the Martin Richard Foundation’s marathon team (Team MR8).

The non-profit Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation was formed by the parents of eight-year-old Martin Richard, who was killed in the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. The funds raised by McGillivray and others will be invested in education, athletics and community engagement. 

“Since that tragic day in 2013, almost every race I’ve run, I’ve run in memory of Martin Richard and to honor and support the hope, peace and community that this foundation inspires,” McGillivray said.

McGillivray is one of the 100 Boston Marathon runners this year who are actively raising money for the Martin Richard Foundation. He has already raised $50,000. Together with his son Max, who is running his first Boston Marathon this year, also in support of MR8, the McGillivray family has raised nearly $65,000 – and they are hoping to raise even more between now and race day.

To donate to McGillivray or any of the MR8 runners, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/MR8Boston2017.

“We are honored to call Dave an MR8 runner and are thrilled to have Max join the team for the 2017 race,” said Denise Richard, Martin’s mother, who lost sight in her right eye as a result of the blast. “Max is one of the 16 runners under the age of 25 who has taken on a huge fundraising responsibility. MR8 is drawing lots of younger runners at this stage because they are excited about the Foundation’s message of peace and programming that reflects kindness, inclusion and civic responsibility.”

She said Max McGillivray, 22, a recent Harvard grad, also is a volunteer coach for the Foundation’s Challenger Sports Program. “We don’t just gain the needed financial support from the McGillivrays, we get their personal investment as well,” she added. “We are ever grateful that they are among the special people on Martin’s team.”

This year also marks McGillivray’s 30^th year helping to manage the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, first as technical director and now race director, meaning he will again complete an official run on the historic course from Hopkinton to Boston in the evening, after all the other runners have safely finished and his work is done. McGillivray’s current streak of 44 Boston Marathons ranks third on the active list.

Owner and president of DMSE Sports, McGillivray is a pioneer in what is now one of the most important aspects of the endurance sports industry – combining fitness and fundraising. He and the races he has managed through DMSE Sports have raised millions for charity. DMSE is a leader in the sports management field with more than 75 staff and consultants locally and across the country, and manages more than 30 running events and races a year throughout the U.S. – from Maine to California.

McGillivray, 62, a Medford, Mass. native who now lives in North Andover, Mass., also is known as an inspirational speaker who gives talks to schoolchildren and a variety of groups throughout the country. He is presently working on a children’s picture book called “Dream Big”, based on his 2006 autobiography, “The Last Pick”. “Dream Big” is scheduled to be published by the end of 2017.

He also is training for the World Marathon Challenge in January of 2018, where runners complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven days – and will run on behalf of MR8 in that upcoming effort as well.

 “I am beyond excited to be part of the WMC in January 2018,” said McGillivray, who recently ran four marathons and three half marathons in seven days to test his ability to tackle his next physical endeavor.

McGillivray’s feats of endurance are legendary, including running across the U.S. two different times, the first time in 1978 when he finished inside Fenway Park during a Red Sox game. He also has run the East Coast of the U.S., completed the Boston Marathon while blindfolded, run 120 miles in 24 hours, biked for 24 hours and swam for 24 hours – all to raise money for worthwhile causes.

McGillivray is also less than four years removed from a health scare – an Oct. 2013 diagnosis of severe coronary heart disease – that prompted him to change his diet, eliminate stress and rededicate himself to health, not just his fitness. Within a year, he lost 25 pounds, lowered his cholesterol level by about 100 points and reduced the disease by about 40 percent. McGillivray also went public with his disease and helped raise awareness that “being fit doesn’t mean being healthy.”

By Nov. 2014, he made a triumphant return to Hawaii and completed the Ironman Triathlon for his ninth Ironman – but first since 1989.

McGillivray was recently inducted into the Road Runners Club of America Long Distance Running Hall of Fame. He also is a member of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, a recipient of the MarathonFoto / Road Race Management Lifetime Achievement Award, and was listed as #6 on “The 50 Most Influential People in Running” by Runner’s World in 2015.

“I’ve run 44 straight Boston Marathons, but I am probably more excited about this year than any other knowing that my son Max is running his first Boston Marathon,” McGillivray said. “Martin’s spirit and message will be with the two of us every step of the way. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child but this is a giving and peaceful way of dealing with the pain we all experienced on that awful day. We will never forget Martin.”  

About the Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation
Founded in 2014, the Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation Inc. is a charitable foundation formed by Bill and Denise Richard, the parents of eight-year-old Martin Richard, who was killed in the bombing at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. In the days after his death, a photo of Martin holding a handmade poster that read “No more hurting people. Peace” was shared over the Internet and made many see Martin as a symbol of peace.

Martin’s view of peace went well beyond simply wanting to prevent violence. To Martin, peace meant togetherness, teamwork, fairness, sportsmanship, inclusion, and simple acts of kindness. His Foundation strives to encourage youth and adults to improve the lives of others and become bridge builders, peacemakers, leaders and change-makers by being kind, compassionate and committed to inclusion and the acceptance of diversity.

Martin loved learning, sports and his community. While he could be usually found playing baseball, basketball, street hockey, or flag football, Martin’s love of the Boston Marathon grew as he participated in the BAA Children’s Relay on Marathon weekend with his community track team for three consecutive years.  

It is fitting that the Foundation’s Boston Marathon team secures its main source of income. Named for Martin’s initials and his favorite sports number, Team MR8 was formed as a means for marathon runners to raise needed funds for the advancement of the charity’s mission. Funds raised through the Boston Marathon will support all Martin Richard Foundation programs and their partners.

To learn more about the Martin Richard Foundation, visit www.martinrichardfoundation.org.

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Top image: Dave McGillivray will run his 45th consecutive Boston Marathon in 2017 to raise funds for the Martin Richard Foundation.
Middle image: Max McGillivray will run his first Boston Marathon, joining his father as a member of Team MR8.
Bottom image: Dave McGillivray holding son, Max, on the Boston Marathon starter's platform in 1999, with then-Sen. John Kerry (left) and the B.A.A.'s Guy Morse.

Famous triathlete Bob Babbitt, co-founder of Competitor Magazine, reminisces about Dave McGillivray's first Ironman and touts his upcoming 45th consectutive Boston Marathon.

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