MEDFORD'S DAVE MCGILLIVRAY UNVEILS MR8K
WICKED LOCAL - NORTH OF BOSTON
Dave McGillivray is looking forward to running under the TD Garden rafters.
The Medford native is teaming up with the Martin Richard Foundation, in partnership with the TD Garden and the Boston Bruins Foundation, to hold the inaugural MR8K, Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3.
The first ever 5-Mile Run (8K) will start outside Causeway Street, circling through the Back Bay, before bolting back to the finish line, at center ice of the TD Garden.
“I’ve put on a lot of races,” said McGillivray, who has run on behalf of the Martin Richard Foundation since 2013. “I put on races at Gillette and at Fenway. I just felt we had to fit the TD Garden in some way. I approached the Richard family to see if they were interested and they were. They approached the TD Garden and the Boston Bruins Foundation, all the stars lined up and we’re ready to kick it off.”
A race director of the Boston Marathon, McGillivray was profoundly impacted by the tragedy that occurred following the Marathon bombings in 2013. The attack claimed the life of Richard and two other spectators: Medford resident Krystle Campbell and BU student Lu Lingzi.
“My eight-year-old son was sitting in the bleachers and he saw everything,” McGillivray said. “I committed on that day that I was going to do everything within my power to remember Martin and to give back to the Richard family.”
To reflect the spirit of the Martin Richard Foundation, the first annual MR8K will be a ‘Run for Gratitude’ honoring first responders and related charities.
“Through our work at the Martin Richard Foundation, and with incredible partners like TD Garden, the Boston Bruins Foundation and public safety officials, we continue to see that there are so many individuals across our community who respond to adversity with kindness and selflessness,” said Bill Richard, co-founder and board member of the Martin Richard Foundation. “It is our way of saying thank you to them for what they did for us and do for others every day.”
Produced by DMSE Sports, Inc., the MR8K is the first ever 5-mile course (8K) that will bring participants beneath TD Garden’s storied rafters, home of 23 championship banners, the most in the country, and feature a finish line at Boston Bruins center ice.
“It is an honor to be given the opportunity to support the values of sportsmanship, inclusion, kindness and peace that the Martin Richard Foundation promotes through its work in the community,” said Charlie Jacobs, CEO of Delaware North’s Boston Holdings. “Thank you to the Richard family and all of those involved in the MR8K A Run for Gratitude for allowing TD Garden and the Boston Bruins Foundation to play a role in what will be an inspiring and memorable event.”
Registration is $45, with proceeds benefiting the Martin Richard Foundation. Participants and spectators will have the opportunity to fundraise and donate on CrowdRise. Each registrant will receive an event day shirt as part of the registration fee. The event is open to runners and walkers, as well as families with small children.
To registration visit: www.TDGarden.com/MR8K.