Interview with Dave McGillivray, Race Director of the Boston Marathon
December 02, 2008 by
Recently I have the opportunity to cyberly sit-down with Dave McGillivray, who among other things, directs the Boston Athletic Association Marathon.
Given his busy schedule, I was happy to pick his brain for a few minutes on a few subjects and I share those with you below.
Dane Rauschenberg : How long do you think you will continue in your present position with the
Boston Athletic Association Marathon?
Dave McGillvray: As long as they will allow me...10 to 20 years!
DR: What is the one thing that worries you most the night before the race?
DM: WEATHER.
DR:. What are your feelings on the lowering of the Olympic Qualifying Standard for the US men's marathon team?
DM: They are the experts and I trust they are doing what is needed and what is best so I support it.
DR: Do you think the female standard will be lowered as well?
DM: Doubt it will be anytime soon.
DR: With all of the research going into age- grading techniques and results showing that "older" runners are faring far better than might have been once thought, will Boston change its own qualifying standards to make it tougher for masters runners to get in?
DM: Doubt this will happen anytime soon, either.
DR: How is having the Us Women's Olympic Qualifying race for the Marathon in Boston the day before the Marathon itself affecting your planning?
DM: It's all about pre-planning and balancing everything but I feel we are on track and under control.
DR: Given last year's marketing stunt by the two runners wearing Spira shoes and representing Foot Solutions, is there anything being done to prevent a repeat occurrence?
DM: Just being more sensitive as to who has registered to run and reminding all to be aware and sensitive to this type of occurrence if it were to happen again.
DR: How did you get involved with the Denver Marathon?
DM: The Executive Director, Anton Villatoro, asked me to be his Race Director and I accepted the position.
DR: Is it hard to manage two large races so far apart geographically from each other?
DM: Not really...different challenge...key is to recruit good, experience local support and communicate well.
Given his busy schedule, I was happy to pick his brain for a few minutes on a few subjects and I share those with you below.
Dane Rauschenberg : How long do you think you will continue in your present position with the
Dave McGillivray
Date of Interview: 04/01/08Dave McGillvray: As long as they will allow me...10 to 20 years!
DR: What is the one thing that worries you most the night before the race?
DM: WEATHER.
DR:. What are your feelings on the lowering of the Olympic Qualifying Standard for the US men's marathon team?
DM: They are the experts and I trust they are doing what is needed and what is best so I support it.
DR: Do you think the female standard will be lowered as well?
DM: Doubt it will be anytime soon.
DR: With all of the research going into age- grading techniques and results showing that "older" runners are faring far better than might have been once thought, will Boston change its own qualifying standards to make it tougher for masters runners to get in?
DM: Doubt this will happen anytime soon, either.
DR: How is having the Us Women's Olympic Qualifying race for the Marathon in Boston the day before the Marathon itself affecting your planning?
DM: It's all about pre-planning and balancing everything but I feel we are on track and under control.
DR: Given last year's marketing stunt by the two runners wearing Spira shoes and representing Foot Solutions, is there anything being done to prevent a repeat occurrence?
DM: Just being more sensitive as to who has registered to run and reminding all to be aware and sensitive to this type of occurrence if it were to happen again.
DR: How did you get involved with the Denver Marathon?
DM: The Executive Director, Anton Villatoro, asked me to be his Race Director and I accepted the position.
DR: Is it hard to manage two large races so far apart geographically from each other?
DM: Not really...different challenge...key is to recruit good, experience local support and communicate well.
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The Boston Marathon holds the record for most consecutive marathon runs. There are some serious reasons why many think this Massachusetts event is not just the oldest, but also the best marathon going.
By Lima | Published 4/9/2007 | Read more »
Andrew Bryant, who is autistic, qualified for Monday's running of the Boston Marathon with a time good enough to put him in the first wave of runners.
By Fletcher Smith | Published 4/16/2007 | Read more »
Sunita "Suni" Williams finished the Boston Marathon in 4 hours and 24 minutes, nearly two hours behind the winner. Of course, none of the other competitors were running the marathon from 210 miles above the earth.
By Eric Fleming | Published 4/17/2007 | Read more »
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Dane Rauschenberg ran the 112th running of the Boston marathon in a time of 3:01:48. Then two hours later, he joined Dave McGillivray in running the course again to make two marathons in the same afternoon.
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