Dave McGillivray to Run 54th Boston Marathon Alongside Three of His Children, Astronaut Sunita Williams, and Finish Strong Foundation Charity Team
BOSTON, Mass. - (March 9, 2026) - When the starting gun fires at the 2026 Boston Marathon, longtime race director Dave McGillivray will once again take his place on the course. This year,though, will be especially meaningful as McGillivray will run alongside three of his children - Max, Luke, and Elle - marking what may be only the second time in Boston Marathon history that a parent and three children have competed in the race together.
The McGillivray family will be part of the Finish Strong Foundation charity team, raising funds to support youth programs that promote physical activity, literacy, and acts of kindness.
For Dave McGillivray, the race will mark his 54th Boston Marathon and his 174th marathon finish, extending one of the longest streaks in the event’s history. The milestone also comes eight years after McGillivray underwent open heart surgery in 2018.
“This race has been part of my life for more than five decades,” said McGillivray, president of the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation. “But sharing the starting line with my children makes this marathon especially meaningful. Running has always been something that has brought our family together.”
McGillivray’s sons Max and Luke, and daughter Elle, have each run Boston previously, but this will mark the first time the four will start the race together. Max will be running his third Boston Marathon, while Luke and Elle will each be running their second.
Before beginning the race himself, McGillivray will once again carry out his traditional responsibilities coordinating the start in Hopkinton - sending off the wheelchair athletes, handcycles, professional runners, adaptive athletes, and the first two waves of participants - before joining the back of Wave 2 to begin the race with his children. Ryan McGillivray will also be working the race at the start, alongside his wife, Courtney McGillivray, adding yet another layer of family involvement to the day.
Joining the McGillivray family on the course will also be retired NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who recently returned to Earth after spending nine months aboard the International Space Station. Williams has a unique connection to the race: in 2007, she famously ran the Boston Marathon on a treadmill aboard the ISS while orbiting the Earth.
Williams will run as part of the Finish Strong Foundation team, which includes more than 20 runners from around the world raising funds for the organization.
The McGillivray family is also dedicating this year’s race to the memory of Susan Hurley, founder of CharityTeams, who passed away in November after a battle with ovarian cancer. Hurley’s work helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes connected to the Boston Marathon community.
Select family members are also supporting causes close to their hearts:
• Elle McGillivray is raising funds for the Finish Strong Foundation’s Running Is a Right program, which provides running prosthetics to young athletes who need them.
• Max McGillivray is running for Justice Health Initiative, which provides medical care for children from underserved countries. His fundraising supports two conjoined twins, Fati and Mariem, who came to Boston seeking life-saving surgical care.
“The Boston Marathon has always been a family affair for the McGillivrays,” said Max McGillivray. “This year is especially meaningful as I run in honor of my mother, Susan Hurley, and the causes she believed in.”
Luke McGillivray said the chance to run Boston with his family is something he will never forget.
“Having the opportunity to not only run the Boston Marathon, but to do it alongside my dad, brother, and sister is something I will cherish forever,” he said. “Running down Boylston Street has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I couldn’t be more proud to share that moment with my family.”
“I am super excited to be running the Boston Marathon again alongside my brothers and my Dad,” Elle added. “I’ve grown up watching this race since I was born, seeing thousands of runners achieve their goals and I’ve always loved being able to celebrate their accomplishments at the finish line. The Boston Marathon will always have a special place in my heart and I can’twait to be back out there on Marathon Monday.”
Supporters interested in donating to The Finish Strong Foundation team can do so here:
https://www.givengain.com/campaign/mcgillivrays-run-boston-32899
ABOUT DAVE MCGILLIVRAY
Running legend Dave McGillivray has increased the self-esteem of millions of people through his work as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, motivational speaker, author and athlete. Dave is best known for his athletic feats including his 80-day trek across the United States, running the 3,452 miles from Medford, Ore., to Medford, Mass. in the summer of 1978 to benefit the Jimmy Fund. In addition, he’s received great acclaim for directing or consulting on more than 1,400 events throughout the world including the Boston Marathon, the Olympic Marathon trials and the Olympic Games. For more information on Dave McGillivray, visit www.davemcgillivray.comand follow him on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
ABOUT THE DAVE MCGILLIVRAY FINISH STRONG FOUNDATION
The Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation seeks to inspire and empower youth across New England and beyond to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and performing acts of kindness. Their vision is rooted in a belief that discovering a passion for physical activity, reading, and acts of kindness at a young age gives individuals self-confidence and self-respect, which empowers them to move forward—one step at a time. For over eighteen years, the foundation has remained committed to preparing individuals for future success and building vibrant communities. For more information on the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, visit www.davemcgillivrayfoundation.org and follow the foundation on Facebook and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT
Joshua Milne
Josh@joshuamilnepr.com
