After 36 years of Boston Marathons at night, race director Dave McGillivray will join his kids during the day
Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray won’t be a night crawler this year.
After 36 years of running the iconic 26.2-mile course in the dark, the local marathon legend will return to racing in the daylight hours with the field on Monday.
McGillivray, who’s the second-longest active consecutive finisher of the race, will join his 19-year-old daughter Elle and 30-year-old son Max during the day with the boisterous crowds. This will be the race director’s 52nd straight Boston Marathon as a competitor.
“The field of runners I will experience in the race… will be five times larger than it was the last time I ran the Boston Marathon during the day,” McGillivray said. “The energy and the crowds will be eclectic and seeing the race on two feet rather than two wheels will give me a special perspective.
“I will be thinking of the Night Run Crew — the individuals who have taken to the course with me at night for all these years — every step of the way,” he added. “It is with their help that I’ve been able to keep this streak alive for 52 years.”
He plans to join the field of 30,000 participants after sending off the competitive divisions, wave one and wave two.
During his run, he will see everything along the course from the middle of the pack — versus being up front on a motor scooter as he has done for more than 30 years.
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The last time McGillivray ran during the day was in 1987, and there were only about 6,600 participants. His first year running officially was in 1973. He ran 15 consecutive marathons before getting the job as technical coordinator for the Boston Marathon in 1988.
He decided to continue running the marathon at night after his duties were completed. This will be his 168th overall competitive marathon.
Less than a week after the Boston Marathon, McGillivray will participate in the London Marathon.
Back in 1978, McGillivray ran across the U.S. in 80 days — running 3,452 miles from Medford, Ore., to Medford, Mass., to benefit the Jimmy Fund. Then in 2018 when he was 63 years old, he completed the World Marathon Challenge — seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.
McGillivray and his children have been fundraising for his foundation, the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, as part of their preparation for Monday’s race. The foundation’s goal is for youth to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and performing acts of kindness.
“I cannot wait to be running alongside my dad for my first Boston Marathon!” his daughter Elle said. “This race has had a huge impact on my life and I’m super excited to run along the course I’ve watched thousands of runners complete, all while raising money for a great cause.”
The McGillivrays and other runners on Team Finish Strong have raised more than $175,000 to support the organization’s programs and mission.