A day of celebration is planned to mark the 40th anniversary of Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray’s historic solo 3,452-mile run across the U.S. – from Medford, Oregon, to Medford, Mass. – to benefit the Jimmy Fund.
The Aug. 23 event will culminate – as it did in 1978 – with McGillivray running into Fenway Park and circling the field to the cheers of fans as part of a pre-game ceremony before the Red Sox-Indians afternoon game.
And as in 1978, McGillivray will again raise funds for the Jimmy Fund of Boston, the fundraising arm of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, in conjunction with the event. He has set a goal to raise $100,000 by Sept. 23, which marks the 30th anniversary of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk that he helped create. To visit his fundraising page, click here.
Forty years ago, McGillivray, now a renowned race director, motivational speaker, philanthropist and endurance athlete, was a 23-year-old recent Merrimack College graduate from Medford determined to achieve his dream of running across the country to raise money for charity.
He set out on his Run Across America on June 11, 1978 in Oregon, crossing the Nevada desert, Rocky Mountains and passing cornfields of the Midwest before completing the improbable trek 80 days later, on Aug. 29, in his hometown.
Later that night, he made a triumphant run into Fenway Park to a standing ovation from 32,000 fans, running several laps.
McGillivray and later his event management company, DMSE Sports, became pioneers in what is now one of the most important aspects of the endurance sports industry – combining athletics with philanthropy. Runner’s Worldsaid his 1978 achievement was one of first times someone combined running with fundraising for cancer research. He and the races he has managed through DMSE Sports have raised millions for charity over the years.
“Running into Fenway Park on August 29, 1978, after running 3,452 miles across America for the Jimmy Fund remains as the absolute highlight of my athletic career,” McGillivray said. “It proved that anything is possible and gave me the confidence to continue to set goals in my life, not limits. It’s 40 years later and I feel the same way today as I did back then. I also learned about giving back and about being grateful for all that I am blessed to have. My relationship with the Jimmy Fund has a special place in my life and I will never stop supporting all the good work they do.”
He continued, “Running into Fenway Park again to mark this 40th anniversary of my cross-country run will be another highlight and another opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a great cause.”
The Aug. 23 celebration will begin with a brief ceremony at 10 a.m. at Medford City Hall, followed by a run by McGillivray with four-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers from Medford to Fenway Park. McGillivray will then run into the storied ballpark as a video clip plays his 1978 lap around Fenway in the background.
Schedule of events
Thursday, August 23, 2018
10:00 a.m. — Brief ceremony at the steps of Medford City Hall (as in 1978) at around 10:00 am with Medford Mayor Stephanie M. Burke.
10:30 a.m. — Begin the seven-mile trek from Medford City Hall to Fenway Park, running with 4-time Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers and a few friends under Massachusetts State Police escort the miles from Medford to Boston and Fenway Park, arriving around noon. Members of the Medford High School cross-country team will join McGillivray and Rodgers to the Somerville line.
12:45 p.m. — Run into Fenway Park from center field (or left field) to home plate being greeted by family members and special guests. Photos of 1978 run in to be shown on center field video board.