🔉 Listen to Audio Excerpt:
As the race director of the Boston Marathon and consultant for both the Olympic Marathon trials and the Olympic Games, what innovations or changes are you most proud of implementing over the years?
The three most significant changes in race management are firstly in medical coverage due to the increasing number of participants, secondly philanthropy which has encouraged more people to participate by breaking down walls of intimidation, and finally technology, allowing us to chip time runners, track them, start more participants, and provide more data. Additionally, security has become a major focus since the 2013 Boston Marathon, emphasizing the importance of keeping everyone safe while organizing well-managed events.
On April 15, 2013, the Boston Marathon bombings changed life in Boston and around the world forever. Can you briefly discuss your most vivid memories from that day and what you carry forward with you in your life as a result?
“The morning of April 15th, 2013 the weather was perfect for the race. Everything was set up for a glorious day.”
The morning of April 15th, 2013 the weather was perfect for the race. Everything was set up for a glorious day. At the start in Hopkinton, we had a 26-second moment of silence for the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre. Little did we know, 26 miles away, we would face our own tragedy. After starting the race, I was on a lead scooter and everything was going smoothly. I finished, hugged my family, and was about to run the course myself when I got a call about the explosions. Cell service was down, and state police drove me back to the finish. The area was evacuated, but I was allowed in. I went into the medical tent, saw many people who weren’t runners, and realized the severity of the situation. My priority was finding my family. A police officer stopped me, saying, “It’s no longer your race,” making me understand the gravity of the event. We worked to help the 6,500 stopped runners.
A couple of days later, I saw my family, who were safe. My 7-year-old son, who saw everything, said, “Dad, I never want you to direct that race again.” The event changed everything, but in 2014, we proved that perseverance and determination could overcome evil. We took back our race, Boylston Street, and the finish line. The comeback is always stronger than the setback.
As an endurance athlete, having completed many extraordinary challenges, including running across the United States and being one of the first to race at the Ironman in Kona, which accomplishment do you hold closest to your heart and why?
Certainly, my run across the United States in 1978, from Medford, Oregon to Medford, Massachusetts, covering 3,452 miles in 80 days, finishing at Fenway Park in front of 32,000 people, stands out as my most memorable and proudest athletic achievement. Despite other similar endurance feats, that one truly ranks as number one.
Your philanthropic efforts, especially with children through the Jimmy Fund, are well known. Can you share a specific moment or story that deeply impacted you and reaffirmed your commitment to giving back?
Growing up in Medford, Massachusetts, I wanted to be a professional athlete. I dreamed of playing second base at Fenway Park, but my small stature often left me picked last. I turned to running because no one could cut me from it. In 1978, I decided to run across the country and wanted a greater purpose. I saw a sign at Fenway Park supporting the Jimmy Fund and decided to raise money for them. Visiting the Jimmy Fund clinic, I saw the courage of the kids battling illnesses. I realized my challenge of running across America was nothing compared to their fight for life. That began my journey of giving back. I believe that when you give, you receive as much, if not more, in return. Everything I’ve done since then has focused on philanthropy.
As a motivational speaker, what is the core message or takeaway you hope to impart, especially to younger generations?
My message is about raising self-confidence and self-esteem. The toughest part of running a marathon is signing the application and making the commitment. Once you commit, do the work, and cross the finish line, you feel good about yourself. There’s nothing more powerful than that. I want my audience to have a defining moment and leave feeling better about themselves. Once, a man told me that after listening to me, he changed his mind about hurting himself. That’s what it’s all about—making a positive impact on people’s lives.
Looking back on your career, how do you want to be remembered in the realms of sports, philanthropy, and motivation?
I want my legacy to be about doing good, giving back, and helping those in need. While I’m proud of my athletic accomplishments, they were just a means to an end. It’s all about raising awareness and helping others. Whether finishing events at stadiums or raising money for charity, my goal has always been to combine my athletic pursuits with philanthropy.
Who or what continues to inspire you to push your limits, both personally and professionally?
I don’t have one individual who inspires me. I believe we’re all in this together, and no one is better than anyone else. The best athletes have God-given talent but also work hard. I inspire myself by setting goals and not limits. I challenge myself and set realistic goals to achieve in life.
With the evolving landscape of sports and technology, how do you envision the future of marathons and large-scale races in the next decade and beyond?
Before the pandemic in 2019, my business was booming. Races were selling out, and organizations wanted to produce events. I thought our industry was bulletproof until COVID-19 hit and all events were canceled. But we came back stronger. Now, races are selling out again, and there’s more interest in endurance events. Philanthropy and women participants have grown significantly. The future looks bright for marathons and large-scale races.
How do you balance the demands of being a race director, endurance athlete, philanthropist, and motivational speaker without compromising on any of these roles?
I’ve always joked that sleep is overrated. I don’t sleep much and wish we could take a pill to rest while still being able to do things. I’ve always wanted to accomplish more. Balancing these roles is about planning, prioritizing, and being organized. My family, friends, and loved ones are always my top priority. By staying organized and planning my days, I’ve managed to fit a lot into each day.
As an endurance athlete, I can relate to a lot of what you do. In 2018, you underwent triple bypass open heart surgery. Six months later, you completed your 47th consecutive Boston Marathon. This August, you’ll be turning 70, and in October, you’ll be racing at the Hawaiian Ironman. Next April will be your 53rd Boston Marathon. Just because you are aerobically fit doesn’t mean you’re in peak health. Can you touch base briefly on this and share any thoughts on your incredible longevity as an endurance athlete and how that event affected you?
On the day this happened in 2018 I was out running and felt chest pain and difficulty breathing. I didn’t ignore it but didn’t take immediate action. Eventually, I went to the hospital for tests, and the doctors found severe coronary artery disease. I changed my lifestyle—sleep, stress, diet—and got healthy again. I returned to the Ironman in Hawaii and continued running marathons. However, the disease came back, and I had to undergo open heart surgery. My surgeon gave me hope, saying he’d be disappointed if I couldn’t run the Boston Marathon six months later. I had the surgery, balanced recovery, and training, and completed the marathon. The lesson is that being fit doesn’t mean you’re healthy. Genetics play a big role. My message is if you feel something, say something. Endurance athletes often push themselves, but it’s crucial to act on any health concerns. Only you can save your own life.
To learn more about DMSE Sports, please visit their website: Dmsesports.com
DMSE Sports is based in Andover, MA
