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The Last Pick: The Boston Marathon Race Director's Road to Success
"If you can dream it, it can happen." In this heartening book, Boston Marathon race director and motivational speaker David McGillivray shares the challenges he has overcome to inspire readers to similar triumphs in their own lives. Always the last pick for team sports because of his small stature, David McGillivray drove himself to excel at individual sports. Whe he was 16, he set himself up for the one "failure" that would motivate the rest of his life. He attempted to run in his first Boston Marathon - without training for the event. Not crossing the finish line could have been a crushing blow. Instead he went on to complete 115 marathons and eventually to become the Boston Marathon's race director. At age 23, McGillivray completed his celebrated 3,452-mile run across the United States to raise money for cancer research. The story of his journey and what he learned about himself will give all readers a new understanding of how to prepare for and achieve success. McGillivray's many accomplishments will convince readers that virtually any goal is possible. This book will motivate them to overcome the mental obstacles that often keep dreams from becoming reality.
260 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2006
3 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
David J. McGillivray
6 books3 followersBesides running across the country in the seventies, (when he was not old enough to know better), Dave McGillivray runs his age in miles every birthday. For more than 25 years, he has brought running to thousands and has provided guidance to Running USA in countless ways. He is also the director of the BAA Boston Marathon.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 27, 2017
Most runners will recognize Dave McGillivary's name as the man who makes the Boston Marathon happen. He's also an accomplished athlete who's run across the United States, been an 8-time competitor in the World Ironman Championships and run over 120 marathons.
This book is a fascinating insight to those accomplishments and what drives Dave.
This book is a fascinating insight to those accomplishments and what drives Dave.
July 31, 2021
You may become tired just reading of this guy's accomplishments. Not only in extreme endurance athletics yet in his attention to detail for event organization.
Most of us can not be "Dave McGillivrays" yet certainly can reap joys from his work, dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm. You go away with the feeling that if your works are for the benefit of others, then they are worth doing and certainly most rewarding.
Even after this book was written Dave has gone on to accomplish the unbelievable. From the beginning this "little guy" at 5'4" goes on to achieve BIG things. 1) Ran 3500 miles across the country in 80 days (for charity of course), Has run continuously for 24 hours, biked for 24 hours and swam for 24 hours, runs 1 mile for every year of his age on his birthday (he is currently 61), etc. etc. Most importantly his events have raised 100's of thousands of dollars to aid the less fortunate, especially kids.
The book is entertaining, humerus, while providing lessons in leadership. Seek it out, devour it, and improve what you do for others.
Most of us can not be "Dave McGillivrays" yet certainly can reap joys from his work, dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm. You go away with the feeling that if your works are for the benefit of others, then they are worth doing and certainly most rewarding.
Even after this book was written Dave has gone on to accomplish the unbelievable. From the beginning this "little guy" at 5'4" goes on to achieve BIG things. 1) Ran 3500 miles across the country in 80 days (for charity of course), Has run continuously for 24 hours, biked for 24 hours and swam for 24 hours, runs 1 mile for every year of his age on his birthday (he is currently 61), etc. etc. Most importantly his events have raised 100's of thousands of dollars to aid the less fortunate, especially kids.
The book is entertaining, humerus, while providing lessons in leadership. Seek it out, devour it, and improve what you do for others.
December 11, 2017
This week’s book was “The Last Pick” by David J. McGillivray (with Linda Glass Fechter) and was published in 2006. It’s the autobiographical story of Mr. McGillivray who grew up to be the race director of the Boston Marathon. He was also the “technical director” from 1988-2001. Basically, he grew up to be short (5ft 3 in) and this profoundly affected his life and his attitude about his life. Because he was so short, few believed in his atheletic ability and hence he was always “the last pick”.
As a young man, he goes on to become an accoplished runner in high school and college and then he becomes one the first hand-full of people to run across the continental U.S. (roughly 3,400 miles). His story is an interesting one, but I got tired of hearing about his being short. He seems to have to mention it every 10 pages. Aside from this (minor) shortcoming (pun intended), the story is a good, heartwarming tale and the author comes across as a very good man.
One thing I found interesting was there was no mention of the WS100. Considering it’s supposed to be one the oldest and most prestigious ultra runs, I thought it would at least rate a reference. I guess when you’ve run 3,400 miles in 80 days, 100 in 24 Hrs is no big deal.
As a young man, he goes on to become an accoplished runner in high school and college and then he becomes one the first hand-full of people to run across the continental U.S. (roughly 3,400 miles). His story is an interesting one, but I got tired of hearing about his being short. He seems to have to mention it every 10 pages. Aside from this (minor) shortcoming (pun intended), the story is a good, heartwarming tale and the author comes across as a very good man.
One thing I found interesting was there was no mention of the WS100. Considering it’s supposed to be one the oldest and most prestigious ultra runs, I thought it would at least rate a reference. I guess when you’ve run 3,400 miles in 80 days, 100 in 24 Hrs is no big deal.
January 28, 2021
its not about the Boston marathon its about the man behind it.
July 9, 2024
If you enjoy the Boston Marathon and an underdog story, David McGillivray's story is for you. The book is a light/quick read and his determination to the Boston Marathon is inspiring.
November 15, 2024
Pretty cool dude. Pretty solid book. I wish this guy was my grandpa or something.
March 22, 2015
Loved this book. This is a man who was last picked in athletics as a boy because he was so short. He did not make high school sports and was often teased. He decided to work really hard and challenge himself to prove to himself and others that he was exceptional and his size was not a handicap. It is an inspiring book about if you think you can, you will find a way. This man has done some amazing (unthinkable) things and was able to accomplish them because he believed he could. I related to a lot as a runner but even if you are not a runner, you will enjoy this book and learn great things. Love his quotes and life lessons. I am so interested in finding out what else he has to do in the future.
July 9, 2014
This book helped me in quite a few ways. First, it made me look forward to cardio days because they were my chance to read in peace. Second, because I was having a cruddy day before I picked it up, and it gave me reasons to think I could get past my cruddy day. Third, Holy Inspiration, Batman! Any time you step back from a challenge because you think you can't, think again. If you were the last one picked for (insert gym sport here), or if you were the first one picked, read this.
Thank you, Dave! You gave an awesome keynote at the Runner's World Half last year, and I hope I can shake your hand again at the 10k Across the Bay in November!
Thank you, Dave! You gave an awesome keynote at the Runner's World Half last year, and I hope I can shake your hand again at the 10k Across the Bay in November!
October 11, 2012
Fun book to read. It sure gave me new motivation to keep in shape, set lofty goals and work hard to achieve them. He has accomplished a lot. Right after I finished, I went out and signed up for 15K run! He has also done much good in his life. Running a mile for every year old you are on every birthday, is quite the achievment for someone over 50!
April 4, 2016
3.5 stars. Slow going in the first 50 pages or so and tough to follow at some points throughout the book as it jumps back and forth in time. The best parts are his descriptions of his run across the US and other such endeavors. Lots of life lessons in the book, and he is certainly a great example of how we could all make a difference in the world.
January 15, 2016
Above and beyond the guy is an egomaniac, but at least he admits it in a chapter titled The Ego. In spite of this, it does serve as a motivational book for runners. Very interesting to see all the prep work, then effort to run across the country, all while thinking that could never happen these days.
August 4, 2014
Very interesting read about the man behind the Boston Marathon (and so much more!).
Mind boggling to read about all of his accomplishments, and he is so humble and generous and sincere - not to mention driven!
Mind boggling to read about all of his accomplishments, and he is so humble and generous and sincere - not to mention driven!
April 17, 2014
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. A funny, inspirational book, it's not just about running and Dave's race organizations. Life, metaphors etc. great read!
January 22, 2014
I wanted to like it more, and I really tried to, but the last half of the book just went on and on and on and didn't go anywhere.
December 29, 2016
Inspiring, but was perplexed that he listed his accomplishments at the end of the book?!
May 7, 2012
Great autobiographical novel about McGillivray, the Boston Marathon race director!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews