DAVE MCGILLIVRAY COMPLETES HIS 47TH CONSECUTIVE B.A.A. BOSTON MARATHON AFTER HAVING OPEN-HEART, TRIPLE-BYPASS SURGERY ONLY SIX MONTHS AGO
RUNNING USA
BOSTON — Renowned race director and endurance athlete Dave McGillivray finished his 47th consecutive B.A.A. Boston Marathon at 9:45pm after having open-heart, triple bypass surgery only six months ago.
McGillivray was joined by 15 other running friends, including eight who ran the 2018 World Marathon Challenge with him.
“Although it was my slowest marathon ever, it certainly was my most satisfying one,” said McGillivray. “One of my favorite quotes is, “The comeback is always stronger than the setback.’”This year, McGillivray ran in honor of the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation and raised $103,000 for the non-profit. The parents of six-year-old Joseph Middlemiss founded the organization after Joseph died in 2013 from cardiomyopathy. The funds raised by McGillivray and others will be invested in the foundation’s mission to help fund research for and spread awareness of childhood heart conditions while providing financial, social, and emotional assistance to families impacted by these illnesses.
“I can’t think of a more appropriate and deserving cause than this one,” McGillivray said. Joseph’s younger brother, Jack, was born with the same condition and only a year ago underwent a successful heart transplant procedure.
Jack and McGillivray’s 13-year old son, Luke, crossed the finish line together in celebration of McGillivray’s epic comeback. This was McGillivray’s 156th competitive marathon and his 32nd Boston at night after completing his official race-day duties.
In addition to directing major, competitive road races like the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and the TD Beach to Beacon 10K in Maine as the owner of DMSE Sports, McGillivray, 64, is known for pioneering the marriage between philanthropy and athletics, completing feats of endurance for good causes.
McGillivray, a resident of North Andover, Mass., is also known as an inspirational speaker who gives talks to schoolchildren and groups throughout the country. He published a children’s picture book in 2018 called Dream Big about his first attempt at running the Boston Marathon and based on his 2006 autobiography, The Last Pick, which intimately recounts the mental and physical obstacles McGillivray faced that led to his 1978 cross country run. In 2019, McGillivray will launch his second illustrated children’s book, Running Across America: A True Story of Dreams, Determination, and Heading for Home, which chronicles his 1978 run. Proceeds from the new book will benefit the Jimmy Fund.
To donate to the JMBHF on behalf of McGillivray’s run, visit:
About the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation
The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that educates children about the power of kindness by supporting the efforts of schools (creating and leading motivational assemblies, providing books and related resources), and empowering school-aged children and young adults by providing scholarships for music, dance, and martial arts. Its mission is to contribute to research for and to spread awareness of childhood heart conditions while providing financial, social, and emotional assistance to families impacted by these illnesses. The JMBHF was founded in 2014 by the parents of six-year-old Joseph S. Middlemiss, who died from a life-long struggle with cardiomyopathy.
About DMSE Sports
Founded by Dave McGillivray in 1981, DMSE Sports is a leader in sports event management, specializing in creating and producing mass participatory athletic events throughout the U.S. DMSE works with the B.A.A operations team in overseeing all the logistics and technical operations of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, and manages the TD Beach to Beacon in Maine, the New Balance Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod, the Harvard Pilgrim Finish at the 50 at Patriot Place, the Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race, and the Bellin Run in Green Bay, Wis., among others. For additional information on McGillivray or DMSE Sports, visit www.dmsesports.com or find DMSE on Facebook and Twitter.