Dave McGillivray
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

For Dave McGillivray, running a mile for each year of his age began as a whim on his 12th birthday. In his recently published book, "The Last Pick," he chronicles those birthday runs, as well as his life of chasing dreams and surmounting obstacles -- from constantly being picked last for baseball teams to running 3,452 miles from Medford, Ore., to Medford, Mass., to serving as director of the Boston Marathon.

McGillivray, who stands 5-feet-4, put it this way: "In a twist of fate, that unspeakable feeling of being small was the catalyst for happiness in my life. Now in my 50s, I could either slow down or really kick it into gear -- and since the former is never an option with me, I'm going to hit the accelerator."

"The Last Pick" is more than a story about an endurance athlete. Dave Scott, six-time Ironman champion, adeptly described McGillivray this way: "Dave has an uncanny ability to stretch human boundaries physically, psychologically and spiritually merely to enhance the motivation for others."

Asked if he thought he has a higher threshold for pain than most people, McGillivray said, "Well, yes, more than most normal people, but not like some marathoners I know. Thresholds are set by training and acclamation -- you can push thresholds higher and higher if you do the work and pay the price."

In his book he says, "To seek pain is illogical, and to thrive on it is insane. It would appear that a perfect life is pain-free, and I don't believe that there's any such thing. So why fight it or fear it? I'd rather just deal with it. The tough times strengthen me, and the good times energize me.

"If it was easy, it wouldn't be the challenge it needs to be. The lesson for me is going beyond digging deep."

McGillivray has dug deep in other ways, too, helping to raise more than $50 million for charitable organizations, including the Jimmy Fund, which supports the fight against cancer in children.

"I've been associated with them for 28 years, longer than most people who even work there," he said. "The sign out on rightfield at Fenway Park said 'Help Make a Dream Come True.' I feel that I have done that for them, and they have done that for me."

From his first run 40 years ago you might think McGillivray just jumps into things, but that would be far from the truth.

"I think everyone should create an 'Operation Manual for Life,' " he said. "To accomplish things, you need a plan, and you need to put it in writing."

One of his best plans was carried out at the Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day race near Boston when he proposed to his now wife, Katie, while they were standing in a bucket truck at the top a Christmas tree more than 100 feet tall. The tree happened to be at the finish line of the race and held the engagement ring in its star.

The couple has four children and lives in North Andover, Mass.

McGillivray has completed several Hawaiian Ironman Triathlons; a 1,522-mile run, bike and swim around New England; an East Coast run from Florida to Massachusetts, and 118 marathons.

He has logged more that 120,000 miles running and has directed or consulted on more than 700 events. Throughout the world he has delivered more than 1,400 motivation speeches.

And on Sunday, two days ahead of his birthday, McGillivray will add on another 52 miles.

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226