Endurance Sports & Event Management Leader; Founder & President of DMSE Sports; Boston Marathon Race Director

North Andover, MA, USA
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Dave McGillivray Biography

Dave McGillivray is a prominent figure in endurance sports and event management, known as a road race director, entrepreneur, philanthropist, motivational speaker, and athlete. McGillivray is the founder and president of DMSE Sports, a full-service event management organization. He has directed or consulted on more than 1,400 events worldwide, including the Boston Marathon, Beach to Beacon 10K, Falmouth Road Race, Mount Washington Road Race, Olympic Marathon trials, and the Olympic Games. McGillivray has worked with the Boston Marathon in various leadership roles, including technical director and race director. Olympic Gold Medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson selected him to serve as race director for the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

McGillivray's career in running began after turning to the sport due to his small stature, which often left him as the last pick for team sports. He gained national attention by completing an 80-day run across the United States, covering 3,452 miles from Medford, Oregon, to Medford, Massachusetts, to benefit the Jimmy Fund. His endurance sports achievements include completing the World Marathon Challenge, nine Ironman Triathlon World Championships, a 1,250-mile run along the U.S. East Coast for the Jimmy Fund, a 24-hour run covering 120 miles, a 24-hour bike covering 385 miles, and a 24-hour swim covering 27 miles. McGillivray has completed 173 marathons, including 53 consecutive Boston Marathons. He is known for running the Boston Marathon course himself after all official participants have finished, demonstrating his commitment to the sport.

As an author, McGillivray has written 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." In "The Last Pick," co-authored with Linda Glass Fechter, he shares his experiences as the last pick for team sports and encourages readers to pursue their goals. His books emphasize perseverance, self-belief, and service to others, themes he also addresses in his motivational speaking engagements.

McGillivray has played a significant role in sports philanthropy, helping to raise more than $200 million for various charities through events and personal fundraising. He founded the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, which aims to inspire and empower youth to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and acts of kindness. He also established a $100,000 endowed scholarship at Merrimack College to provide need-based financial assistance to undergraduate students participating in varsity running disciplines. McGillivray received the Jimmy Award in recognition of his long-term commitment to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and its Jimmy Fund.

McGillivray has been inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, Running USA Hall of Champions, Medford Mustang Hall of Fame, and Road Runners Club of America Long Distance Running Hall of Fame. His honors include Road Race Management's Race Director of the Year, Runner's World Heroes of Running Award, MarathonFoto Road Race Management Lifetime Achievement Award, Fleet Feet Lifetime Commitment to Running Award, and Ron Burton Community Service Award. He has been named to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center's 100 list and Runner's World 50 Most Influential People in Running list. As a motivational speaker, McGillivray has delivered more than 1,400 talks in the United States and internationally, including a TED Talk.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/23/2026.

Dave McGillivray Videos

Dave McGillivray talks Boston Marathon training with 130 days to go

Dave McGillivray talks Boston Marathon training with 130 days to go

A Boston Marathon legend walks us through his training regime with 130 days to go. WCVB is your home for Massachusetts breaking news and weather....

Defining Moments | Dave McGillivray | TEDxKenmoreSquare

Defining Moments | Dave McGillivray | TEDxKenmoreSquare

Dave has served as the race director of the Boston Marathon since 1988. He is also a philanthropist, author, accomplished athlete, and motivational...

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  • What topics does Dave McGillivray speak about?

    Dave McGillivray is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Athlete, Business Leadership, Children's Authors, Olympic Athlete, Overcoming Adversity, Running, Sports Motivation, Storytelling
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Dave McGillivray is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dave McGillivray for your event is available upon request. Dave McGillivray generally travels from North Andover, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dean Karnazes, Bishoy Tadros, Webb Simpson, Melissa Stockwell and Andy Mouncey. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dave McGillivray for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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