DAVE MCGILLIVRAY TO RUN 45TH BOSTON MARATHON APRIL 17 FOR THE MARTIN RICHARD FOUNDATION - AFTER DIRECTING THE RACE

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BOSTON — Renowned race director, endurance athlete and running philanthropist Dave McGillivray is set to run his 45th consecutive Boston Marathon on April 17, this year as part of the Martin Richard Foundation's marathon team (Team MR8).

Renowned race director, endurance athlete and running philanthropist Dave McGillivray is set to run his 45th consecutive Boston Marathon on April 17, this year as part of the Martin Richard Foundation's marathon team (Team MR8).

The non-profit Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation was formed by the parents of eight-year-old Martin Richard, who was killed in the bombings at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. McGillivray is one of 100 runners raising money for the foundation. Together with his son Max McGillivray, who is running his first Boston Marathon, also in support of MR8, the McGillivray family has raised nearly $65,000, and they are hoping to raise even more.

"We are honored to call Dave an MR8 runner and are thrilled to have Max join the team for the 2017 race," said Denise Richard, Martin's mother.

This year also marks McGillivray's 30th year with the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, first as technical director and now as race director. His 45th run will begin in Hopkinton about 5 p.m., after all the runners have safely finished. His current streak of 44 Boston Marathons ranks third on the active list.

Owner and president of DMSE Sports, McGillivray is a pioneer in one of the most important aspects of the endurance sports industry, combining fitness and fundraising. He and the races he has managed through DMSE Sports – more than 30 a year - have raised millions for charity, from Maine to California.

McGillivray's feats of endurance are legendary, running across the U.S. twice, the first time in 1978 when he finished inside Fenway Park during a Red Sox game. He also has run the entire East Coast, completed the Boston Marathon blindfolded, run 120 miles in 24 hours, biked for 24 hours and swam for 24 hours – all to raise money for worthwhile causes.

He also is training for the World Marathon Challenge in January of 2018, where runners complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven days – and will run on behalf of MR8 in that upcoming effort as well.

McGillivray was diagnosed four years ago with severe coronary heart disease, prompting him to change his diet, eliminate stress and rededicate himself to health, not just his fitness, which reduced the disease by 40 percent. He went public with his disease to raise awareness that "being fit doesn't mean being healthy."

McGillivray, 62, of North Andover, Mass., is also working on a children's picture book called "Dream Big", based on his 2006 autobiography, "The Last Pick," to be published by the end of 2017.

"Martin's spirit and message will be with us every step of the way," said McGillivray. "I can't imagine the pain of losing a child, but this is one way of dealing with the pain experienced on that awful day. We will never forget Martin." To donate to MR8 runners, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/MR8Boston2017.

SOURCE Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation