BOSTON MARATHON RACE DIRECTOR DAVE MCGILLIVRAY TO MAKE FLINT STOPS FOR 2013 HEALTHPLUS CRIM FESTIVAL OF RACES
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In the wake of helping guide the Boston Marathon through a devastating terrorist attack in April, the famed race's director is planning a visit to see how things are done at Flint's biggest racing event.
Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray is scheduled to appear at the 2013 HealthPlus Crim Festival of Races in Flint as a special guest for the nation's fourth largest 10-mile road race.
"I've been involved in the running industry for over 30 years and I've directed almost 1,000 events, so I'm familiar with the Crim," said McGillivray, who is best known for running 3,452 miles in 80 days in 1978 for the Jimmy Fund of Boston. "I have never run in it or been to it before but I've certainly heard only great things about the event."
He will arrive in Genesee County early Thursday, Aug. 22, and will be on the move constantly at several Crim-related events – delivering motivational speeches and possibly generating ideas.
"I think we're kind of too close (for me) to have any type of significant impact (this year)," said McGillivray, who accepted the invitation from Crim Director of Race Services Pat Ball while the two were at a conference. "I'm sure that they have a great team in place to do things like I would expect an organization like them to do it. In being there I'll observe things myself and see if I have anything to offer at the end."
For the past 23 years, McGillivray has directed the Boston Marathon but has still has managed to complete the race 38 consecutive times.
He has run the last 23 Boston Marathons at night after his race director duties have been completed. Personally, McGillivray has finished 125 marathons and widely respected in the running industry as a world-class athlete, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and philanthropist.
At this year's Boston Marathon, two bombs exploded near the finish line – killing three people and injuring more than 140 people in a horrific scene. When a nor'easter threatened storm threatened the Boston Marathon in 2007, McGillivray bravely planned through the strong weather and pulled off another successful race with the help of Mother Nature. According to reports, McGillivray stayed in constant contact with National Weather Service, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and authorities to make sure it was safe for runners to participate and everything ran smoothly on race day.
Flushing resident Mark Bauman, who owns Bauman's Running Center in Flint Township, knows McGillivray personally and feels that his presence will only help the credibility of the Crim.
"That's huge. Boston Marathon is the premier road race in this country so to have him to come to Flint and talk is great," said Bauman, who has run in 44 consecutive Boston Marathon races. "I've heard him speak before and he is a very good speaker. He's definitely worth hearing."
Through his company the Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises, Inc. he has helped produce numerous events for the past quarter-century and although he isn't devising the plan for this year's Crim, his involvement can only enhance the races.
"He has done a great job," Bauman said. "He also dealt with nor'easter coming through and almost had to cancel the race the night before and last year he dealt with 90-plus degree temperatures and had to make all of those adjustments so he's pulled off some very impressive feats."
The 2013 HealthPlus Crim Festival of Races will kick off Friday, Aug. 23 with the Michigan and Professional Mile. The 10-mile, 8K, 5K and Teddy Bear Trot will start Saturday, Aug. 24.
Dave McGillivray's Flint schedule of events:
Thursday, August 22, 2013:
9:30am – Arrive in Flint, Michigan
12:00pm-1:00pm – Lunch with select Crim friends, volunteers, and sponsors
2:00pm-3:00pm - Appearance and short speaking engagement at the HealthPlus Crim Festival of Races press conference
4:30pm-6:30pm – Appearance and short speaking engagement at the Crim VIP Reception
7:30pm-8:30pm – Appearance and short speaking engagement at the Crim 30-year runner reception
Friday, August 23, 2013:
8:00am – Potentially participate in group run from the Crim office
12:00pm-1:00pm – Lunch with select Crim friends, volunteers, and sponsors
4:30pm – Featured speaking engagement, focused on events like the Boston Marathon and the Crim motivating communities to improve themselves – as individuals and as a whole – with the focus of active, healthy lifestyles
7:15pm-7:30pm – Start Michigan Mile Professional, High School, and Open waves