VIDEO: BOSTON MARATHON'S DAVE MCGILLIVRAY EARNS THIRD LANTERN AWARD
THE MILFORD DAILY NEWS
Over the past year, there have been few races — to direct or to run in — but Dave McGillivray has not sat idle.
On Monday, he will launch his third children’s book and on Sunday, the race director of the Boston Marathon was virtually honored at the Old North Church’s Lantern Ceremony, where he delivered the keynote address.
“Finish Strong” chronicles his 2018 effort to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.
“A lot of it is about the individual continents and what they’re like and what they represent,” McGillivray told the Daily News.
McGillivray collaborated again with Westford resident Nancy Feehrer, who co-authored each of his children's books.
“Running Across America” was published in 2019 and covers McGillivray’s 80-day, 3,452-mile solo run across the country in 1978. “Dream Big” was released in 2018 and recalls his failed attempt to run the Boston Marathon in 1972; he returned a year later to finish the race and has done so every year the event has been held since.
In 2006, McGillivray, along with Linda Glass Fechter, released his autobiography, “The Last Pick.”
Each of his children’s books ends with an introduction to his “Dream Big Marathon Challenge,” which encourages young readers to run 26 miles over an extended period of time; read 26 books; and perform 26 acts of kindness.
“That represents what I consider the three pillars of life,” McGillivray said. “Health and fitness; education; philanthropy and giving back.”
McGillivray, a member of the Road Runners Club of America Long Distance Running Hall of Fame, spoke about the process of putting together the children’s books.
“You might look at a building and wonder how long did it take to build that thing and conceptualize it? And then all the renderings and drawings and mapping and designing. It takes a huge team effort and then you haven’t even put a shovel in the ground yet.
“And then you have to start the process. Then it’s a constant back-and-forth. You write the first draft; then it’s too wordy; then you have to change the words and it loses its meaning. But you can’t have a lot of verbiage in a picture book. What might seem like it takes a couple of months can actually take a whole year just for a 32-page children’s book.
“It’s a marathon in of itself.”
“Finish Strong” will be donated to children at schools throughout Massachusetts as a gift from the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation when McGillivray begins to speak at schools again, according to a press release. Proceeds from book sales will benefit the foundation.
On Sunday night, McGillivray was presented with the Third Lantern Award, which commemorates the night in 1775 when two lanterns were hung in the Old North Church’s steeple, launching the American Revolution.
He was introduced as keynote speaker by Gov. Charlie Baker, a previous honoree of the annual award. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan have also be honored with the Third Lantern Award.
“I’ve received a few awards in my lifetime but this one is really special,” McGillivray said in a press release. “Knowing all those who have been a recipient of the award or who have spoken at the ceremony in the past, I am humbled and touched by this true honor.”