Episode 276: Boston Marathon Race Director, Dave McGillivray, Shares How We Can All Finish Strong

After providing some key taper advice, we welcomed back a very special guest, Darren Sapper (Julie’s husband), who has spectated the Boston Marathon ten times.Darren provides guidance on getting to the spectating spots and how to navigate Boston while with kids.We appreciate Darren’s support of the podcast and our running and coaching pursuits. Thanks to Darren for joining us.Darren’s coordinates for spectating spots:Mile 6.5 in Framingham: 16 Concord St, Framingham, MA 01702 (north side of the route, runner’s left)Mile 13 in Wellesley: 13 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02482 (north side of the route, runner’s left)Mile 20 in Newton: 638 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA 02459 (south side of the route, runner’s right)Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at [email protected] or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

We’re so thrilled to welcome back the legendary Dave McGillivray, who has served as the Boston Marathon race director since 2001. Dave breaks down the key changes to this year’s race, offering clarity into what runners can expect with six waves, rather than four, and how to adjust accordingly. Dave also offers course insight and guidance, along with how he’s training for his 54th consecutive Boston Marathon, which he will run with his three children and astronaut Sunita Williams. As taper begins and nerves set in, Dave shares thoughtful words of encouragement to help runners stay patient, confident, and ready to embrace race day. More about Dave: Dave is the founder and president of DMSE Sports, Inc., a full-service event-management organization. McGillivray has directed or consulted on more than 1,400 events throughout the world including the Boston Marathon, the Beach to Beacon 10K, the ASICS Falmouth Road Race, the Mount Washington Road Race, the Olympic Marathon trials, and the Olympic Games.Dave is also the founder of the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, which seeks to inspire and empower youth to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and acts of kindness. Dave has completed 173 marathons, including 53 consecutive Boston Marathons. In 1978, he completed an 80-day trek across the United States, running the 3,452 miles from Medford, Ore., to Medford, Mass. to benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Dave is on Instagram @dmsedave. Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at [email protected] or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

This week we are joined by Run Farther & Faster runner, Beth Colling, who at age 57 ran a 3:43 at the Tokyo Marathon, earning her Six Star Medal. But Beth’s journey to that finish line was anything but straightforward. Just one year ago, after a life-altering health setback, she wasn’t sure she would ever run another marathon.Instead of stepping away from the sport she loves, Beth turned that uncertainty into opportunity. Through patience, determination, and the support of her community, she rebuilt her fitness and confidence—ultimately crossing the finish line in Tokyo in 3:43, tying the personal best she set four years earlier.Beth lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she trains with an incredibly uplifting group of masters women who help make the miles joyful and meaningful. She shares how that community, along with a renewed perspective on gratitude and resilience, shaped her comeback.Beyond running, Beth is an accomplished attorney with more than 25 years of experience who has traveled to six of the seven continents, working with organizations to help create infrastructure in developing countries. She’s also a mom of three, who originally began running longer distances after the birth of her third child as a way to carve out a little space—and sanity—amid the chaos of a busy household.In this episode, Beth reflects on perseverance, purpose, and the power of believing that your best days might still be ahead. Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at [email protected] or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

This week we’re joined by Allison Mercer, a Team USA ultrarunner, championship competitor, and thoughtful voice in the running community, to unpack the controversy that unfolded at the 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta.Allison is an accomplished distance runner who has represented the United States at the ultrarunning world championships and competed at national championship events herself. Allison is also a leader in the Atlanta running community and served as the three-hour pacer for the marathon event, which occurred on the same day.On race day in Atlanta, chaos erupted in the closing mile when the lead vehicle directed the front pack of women — including Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat — off the correct course. The mistake dramatically altered the outcome of the national championship and raised serious questions about race organization, athlete fairness, and accountability. In response, Allison wrote a widely discussed op-ed for Outside Run analyzing the incident and the reaction that followed. Rather than simply assigning blame, she explored the deeper structural issues behind championship road racing — from course control and race operations to governing-body policies — while urging the running community to pursue accountability without losing perspective on the people involved.In this conversation, Allison brings her experience as an athlete and community leader to share how we can better respond to mistakes in our community. We appreciate Allison’s insight!You can find Allison on Instagram @onewomandancepartyFollow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at [email protected] or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

After watching Alysa Liu skate with pure joy to win gold, we were inspired!What if we trained and raced the Boston Marathon the same way? This week, we welcome 13-time Boston marathoner and longtime friend, Ken Trombatore, to break down a practical roadmap for training and racing Boston with joy and gratitude.Whether your’re chasing a PR, running your first Boston, or simply want to experience Boylston Street with gratitude instead of tension, this episode will help you allow more joy into your training, just like Alysa.

In this episode, we break down thirteen powerful, practical, and often overlooked ways to elevate your performance at the Boston Marathon—starting now!We cover how to make your long runs mimic the unique Boston course profile, why mastering your late start timing can make or break your day, and how to build both the uphill strength and downhill efficiency this course demands. From nailing marathon pace on hilly terrain to practicing real-world fueling strategies (yes, even the scary ones), we share tips you can implement immediately.Whether you’re a Boston Marathon first-timer or seeking a course PR, this episode gives you clear, coach-supported strategies to help you prepare to run your best.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at [email protected] or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

If winter miles feel disproportionately hard, you’re not imagining it. Extreme cold changes how your body works and it’s easy to lose confidence in your training.In this episode, we break down why running in cold temperatures feels harder, even when fitness hasn’t changed. We explore the physiological reasons and how to adjust training intelligently in extreme cold without derailing your plan or forcing paces that don’t make sense. We cover smart modifications for long runs, marathon pace work, and speed sessions, including when to shift to effort-based training, slow paces appropriately, or move workouts indoors for safety.If you’re training for a marathon in cold weather and wondering how to adapt without second-guessing yourself, this episode will help you stay smart, fueled, and on track.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at [email protected] or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

Winter weather has a way of blowing up even the most carefully built training plans—and testing our patience right along with it.In this episode, we talk about how to navigate training when snow and ice make it impossible (or unsafe) to stick to the plan as written. We break down how to adapt workouts without losing fitness, when to swap, shorten, or skip runs, and how to rethink consistency during unpredictable conditions. More importantly, we explore the mindset shift required to stay grounded, motivated, and confident when circumstances are out of your control.Whether you’re training for a race or simply trying to stay active through winter, this conversation is a reminder that flexibility and consistency are what keeps progress moving forward. Sometimes the best training move isn’t forcing it…it’s adapting with intention.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at [email protected] or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

We’re thrilled to welcome Brad Stulberg back to the podcast! Brad, who was featured in episode 183, is a bestselling author, coach, and one of today’s leading voices on sustainable performance and well-being. Frequently featured in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, his newest book, The Way of Excellence—out January 27—explores what it really means to pursue excellence in a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming.In this conversation, we dig into how Brad defines excellence (hint: it’s not just about winning or grinding harder), and how runners can apply his principles to training, racing, and long-term growth. We also zoom out beyond running to talk about how the disciplined, values-driven pursuit of excellence can be a stabilizing force in our careers, relationships, and…a Hoosier National Championship!If you’re feeling pulled in a hundred directions or struggling to stay grounded in your goals, this episode offers a thoughtful, practical framework for doing meaningful work, running with purpose, and showing up as your best self—on the road and off.You can preorder Brad’s book and all of his books on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Brad is also a great follow on Instagram @bradstulberg. We often share his wisdom on our socials. For Brad’s newsletter and podcast, check out his website: https://www.bradstulberg.com.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at [email protected] or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!

In this episode, we sit down with Rena Elmer, mom of 11 , Olympic Trials qualifier, and 2:35 marathoner, to talk about her running journey and pursuing big athletic goals while growing her family.We discuss resilience, time management, Boston Marathon tips, faith in the process, and the power of showing up for yourself even when life is full. Whether you’re a runner, a parent, or someone chasing a goal that feels just out of reach, Rena’s story will leave you inspired to rethink your limits and keep going! We loved this conversation and appreciate Rena’s candor and perspective!Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at [email protected] or head over to our website.Please follow, share and review our show!