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David J. McGillivray
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The Last Pick: The Boston Marathon Race Director's Road to Success Kindle Edition

by David J. Mcgillivray (Author), Linda Glass Fechter (Author), Joan Benoit Samuelson (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 31 ratings
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"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.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    274 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Rodale Books
  5. Publication date
    April 4, 2006
  6. File size
    2670 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

DAVID J. McGILLIVRAY is race director of the Boston Marathon. He has delivered more than 1,200 motivational speeches and, as president and founder of Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises Inc. (DMSE), he has raised over $1 million for various charities. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

LINDA GLASS FECHTER is a freelance writer who has worked for over 16 years with various charities and athletic organizations.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004GNF45I
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rodale Books (April 4, 2006)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 4, 2006
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2670 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 274 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1594864225
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 31 ratings

About the author

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David J. McGillivray

David J. McGillivray

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
31 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifing
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2023
Verified Purchase
Just reading all the accomplishments made me exhausted. Certainly a Type A personality with extraordinary lungs and legs. Bravura reading.
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Seth Ulinski, Author
5.0 out of 5 stars Last pick (and MVP)
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great read if you're looking for inspiration in life (not just running marathons). McGillivray's story illustrates that you shouldn't judge someone based on height. Society should place greater emphasis on character, heart and determination. Although he stands 5'4'' - McGillivray is a towering figure on multiple levels.
One person found this helpful
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Mark D. Westfall
5.0 out of 5 stars Innovative and Insightful
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2015
Verified Purchase
Without a doubt, Dave McGillivray is innovative, insightful and one who puts everything he has into all that he does. He has influenced the sport(s) / market in so many ways and has motivated a great many people to do things they otherwise would not have thought them possible.
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Brian Hawkinson
4.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational life
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2008
I was very surprised at how much McGillivray accomplished in his life. I picked up his book expecting to read about a marathoner and his experience as the race director of the Boston Marathon and got so much more. McGillivray's cross country run, 24hr run, bike and swim and so on are just amazing in and of themselves.

Sometimes his motivation and drive does seem very obsessive compulsive, but it works for him. I was very inspired by everything he's done and the attitude he takes in life.

I must say that at times it did seem like McGillivray was tooting his own horn. I was also annoyed by the small excerpts and quotes that were literally on every other page. Some were legitimate quotes from a newspaper or contemporary runner/athlete, but many were just his family and friends and didn't really add any credence to his biography. The only thing that was useful was to see the words from the horse's mouth, so to speak, just before McGillivray went into a time in his life where that person was.

All in all a very inspiring book. I would definitely recommend.

4 stars.
One person found this helpful
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J. Maguire
5.0 out of 5 stars Could be titled "Fight the Good Fight" or "Never Say Die"
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2007
Verified Purchase
Starts a bit slowly - just like a good long run - but certainly worth the time and effort as it hits its stride. This man "Dave" is motivational and exceptional in his physical achievements; and he's made most of them up while following his own template. AKA "Don't give Time anything... rather force Time to take from you" and this book follows that philosophy.
One person found this helpful
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Humberto Mederios
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2018
Verified Purchase
totally inspiring !!
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Suzann Macgillivray-wanko
5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Pick: The boston Marathon Race
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2009
Verified Purchase
Good material of challange, success and accepting retirement. Thank you I needed that now that I am in my 60's accepting retirement is hard for me. Thanks.
One person found this helpful
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Carla K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2014
Loved it for so many reasons. It seemed like what I read was what I needed to see right at that moment. This was a funny, touching, thoughtful look at someone who's turned his issues into advantages. He gave a fantastic speech at the Runner's World Half in Bethlehem last year and I was thrilled to shake his hand. Thanks to Dave's inspiration, I'm running my first marathon in November and really dreaming about Boston some day. Once upon a time I'd have thought, "I couldn't do that." Now I want to try. Fantastic book!! (And don't forget the chocolate chip cookie recipe!)
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