The race director of the world's most famous marathon – the Boston Marathon – is coming to Bermuda this Saturday.

A world-class athlete in his own right, Dave McGillivray has been booked to give an inspirational talk at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, and tickets for the event, which is open to all, are still available but should be booked by this evening.

Mr. McGillivray is no stranger to Bermuda having competed in numerous events on the Island, including the International Race Weekend Marathon.

He also helped promote junior running programmes and directed a number of world cup triathlon events in Bermuda and counts many of the Island's running stars of yesteryear as friends, including the likes of Ray Ming, Peter Lever, Steve Petty, and Jim and Debbie Butterfield.

"I jumped at the opportunity to come back again. I'd love to come back to Bermuda and do a run again too, without a doubt. I love the Island and its people. It is health and fitness orientated and as the wonderful aesthetics. I used to consider it my second home," he said.

The audience at the summer party being hosted by Mid Atlantic Athletic Club – but open to all – can expect some fascinating stories from the guest speaker who famously ran across the width of the US – an incredible 3,452 miles in 80 days – in 1978 for the Jimmy Fund cancer charity.

Currently Mr. McGillivray is the race director for the oldest and most prestigious marathon in the world, the Boston event which was held for the 112th time last April. As well as race director of around 25 events every year, he is also a renowned runner, motivational speaker and philanthropist.

Every year on his birthday, Mr. McGillivray runs a mile for each year of his age. It is something he has done since the age of 12. His most recent celebration therefore entailed a 54-mile run and he again raised money for the cancer charity to mark the 30th anniversary of his epic coast-to-coast US run.

Of his birthday runs he said: "It was always hard, but it is now getting exponentially more difficult. I had to have resolve to run 12 miles when I was 12, but now it takes me all day."

He has logged more than 130,000 miles of training, run 123 marathons including 37 consecutive Boston Marathons (he has run the last 21at night after his race director duties have been completed).

In 2007 the Boston Marathon came closest to being cancelled for the first time since the inaugural race of 1897 due to poor weather, but went ahead but not without much worry and angst the night before for Mr. McGillivray and his race team.

The trials of a race and event director are expected to feature when the US Hall of Famer speaks at the event at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, which starts at 6 p.m on Saturday.

Anyone who would like to attend the event can secure a ticket by e-mailing April Vesey today at aprilv@northrock.bm