McGillivray Marks 30 Years of Running, Fitness, Charity
Medford native Dave McGillivray with Senator Scott Brown.
More than 450 people, including sports legends and Boston luminaries, gathered Saturday for the DMSE Sports “30 Years Running†Gala to benefit the DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation (DCFF), which uses running to promote physical fitness in children and reduce childhood obesity.
The March 12 event raised more than $60,000 and featured noted athletes, friends and “Team DMSE†members to celebrate DMSE’s 30 years organizing sports events across New England and around the globe and raising millions for charity in the process.
Speakers included Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., a triathlete who has participated in many DMSE events, as well as legendary four-time Boston Marathon champ Bill Rodgers; world-class triathlete Karen Smyers; Tom Grilk, Executive Director, Boston Athletic Association; Billy Squires, the founding coach of the Greater Boston Track Club; Rick and Dick Hoyt, father-son endurance athletes; Barry Nolan, former host of “Evening Magazine†and Dave McGillivray, Founder and President of DMSE Sports. MCs for the event were Emmy-award winning Toni Reavis and DMSE’s Jack Leduc. “Cheers†bartender Eddie Doyle and Tommy Leonard of the Eliot Lounge, two Boston icons, also attended and were recognized.
McGillivray is a Medford native and Medford High School graduate, and Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn proclaimed March 12, 2011 as “Dave McGillivray Day” for McGillivray’s efforts to “improve the quality of life for all.”
Video tributes wishing DMSE well on its 30th anniversary were provided by Lance Armstrong, Olympic Gold Medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, Astronaut Suni Williams, Triathlon Hall of Famer Dave Scott, and Tara Orlowski — the young girl in one of McGillivray’s early Jimmy Fund posters who now lives in Florida. The “surprise†guest was Greg Meyer, the last American winner of the Boston Marathon. Representatives from charities DMSE has helped and supported over the years also spoke.
In addition, both the City of Boston and the City of Medford proclaimed March 12 “DMSE Sports Day†by proclamation. And children who participated in the Running in Places program last fall took the stage with DCFF managing director Billy Sheehan, who spoke about the importance of physical fitness for today’s youth.
“One in three American children risks becoming diabetic as adults if current trends continue,†Sheehan said. “Events like this one and organizations like DMSE are so important because they lead by example – showing kids that fitness leads to a life of health, fun and adventure.”
McGillivray, whose many achievements includes twice running across America for charity, started DMSE Sports (www.dmsesports.com) in 1981 and has raised millions of dollars for worthy charities over 30 years. McGillivray and his “Team DMSE†have directed, managed or produced more than 900 events since then, from its first triathlon in Medford in 1982 to directing the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, TD Bank Beach to Beacon, Run to Home Base at Fenway Park, Harvard Pilgrim 10K at Gillette Stadium and the new Run Gloucester! 7-Mile Road Race.
McGillivray founded The DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation in 2003 to support non-profit organizations that use running to promote physical fitness in children and help solve the epidemic of childhood obesity. The foundation’s new focus is “Running in Places”, a motivational program designed to help public school children learn the importance of physical fitness, self-esteem, peer respect and education. The program focuses on building healthy bodies and healthy minds by combining physical activity with visits to educational and historic locations. Last fall the program coordinated a run along the Charles River Esplanade, and students enjoyed a visit to Boston’s Museum of Science.
About DMSE Sports
Founded by McGillivray in 1981, DMSE Sports, Inc. is a leader in sports event management, specializing in creating, marketing and producing mass participatory athletic events throughout the U.S. and abroad. McGillivray has produced or consulted on more than 900 mass-participatory athletic events throughout the world, including 23 Boston Marathons; the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K in Maine; the 2004 and 2008 USA Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials, the 1990 Triathlon World Championship, the 1998 Goodwill Games Triathlon, and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. For more info, visit www.dmsesports.com.
– Information and photo from DMSE Sports