THE BEGINNING

THE SOLO RUN

This event is the brainchild of Dave McGillivray, Race Director of the Boston Marathon. In 1978 Dave did his own X-country run alone in 1978. Click here to view presentation of 1978 X-Country Run.

TREK I - The First Relay

On May 1, 2004, the TREK USA team of runners set forth on a coast-to-coast journey, TREK USA Charity Relay for Kids, founded by Dave McGillivray, the team included Paul McGovern, Bill Lapsley, Bob Lussier, Mike Barry, Josh Nemzer, Mike Thompson, Dave McGillivray, Tom Licciardello, Fernando Braz, Harrison ''Hap'' Farber, and Bob Whirty.  Ron Kramer directed the Relay.  The support crew included Lyn Licciardello, Bob Ell, Dave Leonard and Zoe Alexi.  The average age of the team was 50 years old.  The TREK USA team averaged 15-20 miles per day and covered 3,355 miles through 12 states in 24 days. 

TREK USA was created to help and inspire the next generation of children to set goals, fulfill their dreams, while also teaching the benefits of fitness.  More than $300,000 was raised for children’s charities including: The Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; The Red Auerbach Youth Foundation; the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism; the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care; and the DMSE Foundation. 

TREK USA ended on Tuesday, May 25, 2004.  The day began as the TREK USA team rang the opening bell at the Boston Stock Exchange that morning. They then drove out to Hopkinton for their final 26 miles, which began at noon from the start line of the BAA Boston Marathon course.  As many as 200 people were at the Hopkinton Town Green to wish the team well, including about 150 school children; Hopkinton Town officials; friends; family; and the media.  Governor Mitt Romney, Mayor Thomas Menino, and the Town of Hopkinton proclaimed May 25th TREK USA Day. 

The Team then ran that final leg, finishing at Fenway Park with a victory lap around the warning track and finishing up at home plate.  Dave McGillivray then threw out the first pitch. The 47-degree temperature at the Red Sox game was offset by the warm welcome they received at home plate by representatives of the five charities benefiting from TREK USA.  Sports legends JoJo White, Mike Andrews, Cam Neely, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Bill Rodgers, as well as Darren Flutie and Wally (the Red Sox Mascot) were there to greet the TREK USA team. 

While on the road, the TREK USA website was updated daily with journal entries and photos.  The site included a page for the Track the TREK School Program. Students virtually followed the TREK team while at the same time learning about geography, history, and the importance of fitness.  Nearly 2,000 students in schools from Plymouth to North Andover, Massachusetts were part of the TREK USA virtual team.

Here’s an entry from the TREK USA Journal for May 21, 2004:
When Fernando [Braz] completed his run for the day, he jumped back aboard the RV with a smile on his face.  He told us how his five year old son, Shane, always asks him, “Where you goin’?” if he is leaving the house.  As Fernando was cruising through his 7.8 mile jaunt, he swore he could hear his son’s voice in his head…”Where you goin’?”  He smiled and continued.  Then, again and louder he heard, “Where you goin'?”  That time it was a little too real.  Again he heard at almost a shout, “WHERE YOU GOIN’?”  With that, Fernando looked over his shoulder and saw a little five-year-old boy on a porch calling out the question to him.  He stopped his run to go to the little boy and explain, “I am going home.”

To view photos, the map, Dave’s daily diary and other TREK information, click here >