Meet Dave McGillivray
Entrepreneur.
Philanthropist.
Speaker.
Author.
Athlete.
The defining moments in Dave’s life are linked together by a lifetime passion for the sport of running. Dave famously completed an 80-day trek across the United States, running the 3,452 miles from Medford, Ore., to Medford, Mass. in the summer of 1978 to benefit the Jimmy Fund. The feat inspired the marrying of endurance sports and charitable fundraising that remains popular today.
His running resume includes completing the World Marathon Challenge (seven marathons in seven days on seven continents,) 10 IRONMAN World Championship triathlons, a 1,250 mile run along the U.S. East Coast in 1980 to again benefit the Jimmy Fund, a 24-hour run (120 miles,) a 24-hour bike (385 miles,) and a 24-hour swim (27 miles.) He triathloned around the six New England states by swimming one mile, biking 80 miles and running 20 miles every day for 32 consecutive days. Dave has run 169 full marathons, including 52 consecutive Boston Marathons. Over the span of his life, he estimates he’s run more than 160,000 miles.
Dave is the founder and president of DMSE Sports, a full-service event-management organization, providing a full range of event and race production, management, and consulting services to support events of all sizes. The firm has produced more than 1,400 events since opening its doors in 1981 and serves clients throughout the United States. Through DMSE Sports events and Dave's personal fundraising, together they have helped raise more than $200 million for various charities through the events they manage. Dave has directed or consulted on more than 1,400 events throughout the world including the Boston Marathon, the Olympic Marathon trials, and the Olympic Games.
Dave is also the founder of the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, which seeks to inspire and empower youth across New England and beyond to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and performing acts of kindness. For over eighteen years, the foundation has remained committed to preparing individuals for future success and building vibrant communities. Dave raised more than $100,000 for the foundation while training for and completing his 50th Boston Marathon.
In addition to these two roles, Dave is a sought after motivational speaker. He has given over 1600 motivational talks throughout the U.S. and abroad, and was selected to present a Ted Talk. Dave is the author of four books: The Last Pick, Dream Big: A True Story of Courage and Determination, Running Across America: A True Story of Dreams, Determination, and Heading for Home, and Finish Strong: Seven Marathons, Seven Continents, Seven Days.
Dave’s accomplishments have earned him unique honors and recognition. He was valedictorian of both his high school and college classes. Dave has earned the Road Race Management’s Race Director of the Year award, Runner’s World Heroes of Running Award, MarathonFoto Road Race Management Lifetime Achievement Award, the Fleet Feet Lifetime Commitment to Running Award, the Ron Burton Community Service Award, the Old North Church Third Lantern Award, and the "Jimmy Award" by the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for 30 years of contributing time and expertise to help raise millions for cancer research and treatment.
He has been inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, the Running USA Hall of Champions, the Medford Mustang Hall of Fame and the Road Runners Club of America Long Distance Running Hall of Fame. He’s been named to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center's 2011 100 list and Runner's World’s 50 Most Influential People in Running list. The track at Medford High School was named in his honor in 2023.
Dave is a graduate of Medford High School and Merrimack College. Dave was born and raised in Medford, and now resides in North Andover, Mass. He is married to wife Katie and has five children: Ryan, Max, Elle, Luke, and Chloe.