Boston Marathon Chief Dave McGillivray Runs 60 Miles On 60th Birthday
McGillivray has completed his birthday run every year since turning 12.
McGillivray has completed his birthday run every year since turning 12.
Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray has run his age in miles every year since he was 12. On Saturday, McGillivray celebrated his 60th birthday by continuing his streak and completing a 60-mile run.
McGillivray ran 17 3.5-mile loops near his home in North Andover, Mass. to commemorate the occasion that ended in a birthday celebration with family and friends in his backyard, according to a press release.
McGillivray was joined by running legends Joan Benoit Samuelson, Rick and Dick Hoyt, members of a local running club, his children and even his wife, with whom he celebrated their 11th anniversary on the day of the run.
McGillivray, the president of DMSE Sports and who also leads the Falmouth Road Race, the Boston Half Marathon and other local events, began Saturday’s run at 2 a.m. He had planned the entire day down to the minute, with the goal of finishing each loop in 50 minutes and using the extra time to take a break.
He completed the run at 4:15 p.m.—right on schedule. Shortly after, 2014 Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi sent a congratulatory text message to McGillivray that read, “Congratulations Dave…I need to do my age and start going backwards. You are amazing.”
Four-time Boston champion Bill Rodgers sent McGillivray an e-mail to acknowledge the feat: “Dave, the best thing about your run is seeing how many people care about you.”
RELATED: So What About Boston 2015?
McGillivray’s birthday run has occurred every year since he turned 12. But last year, doctors told him he needed to lose weight and get himself in better shape after he had trouble breathing while running. He was diagnosed with coronary heart disease.
In the last 10 months, McGillivray has dropped 27 pounds and has lowered his cholesterol level by more than 70 points. He told ESPN.com he no longer drinks beer and only eats fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other healthy foods. He also gets more sleep.
I broke a lot of rules in the past, and I’m following them all now,” the 5-foot-4, 131-pound McGillivray told ESPN. “The reality is [the condition] is very serious and I was very lucky to catch it and get a second chance.”
McGillivray is slated to compete at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in October, his ninth time tackling the grueling race. It will mark his first time doing Kona in 25 years.
According to the DMSE Sports press release, McGillivray has logged more than 150,000 miles and has finished 131 marathons, including 42 straight Boston Marathons. He runs the Boston course every year once all the finishers complete the race.