McGillivray Cites ‘Can’t-Miss’ Dentist Appointment in Explaining New Date for 2020 Boston Marathon
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The 2020 Boston Marathon has been postponed by two weeks, organizers said today, pointing to a scheduling conflict involving Race Director Dave McGillivray. The race will now be held Sunday, May 3. The original race date was Monday, April 20.
“Turns out, Dave has a dentist appointment (on April 20),” the B.A.A. said in a statement. “And he really can’t miss it.” The statement went on to explain that McGillivray made the appointment in October 2019, during his last visit to the dentist and “just wasn’t thinking.”
A source told Dumb Runner that McGillivray regrets the snafu and would cancel the dental appointment if he could, but that it’s not that easy.
“Apparently his dentist has a super strict cancellation policy. Also, she’s always booked, like, months in advance. So rescheduling is a nightmare.”
The shift shouldn’t create significant problems for runners, experts said.
“Basically, this new date will give Boston Marathon runners two extra weeks to prepare,” said Thomas Levy, a professor of exercise science at Hoffman College in Olivier, New York. “In other words, they will toe the starting line two full weeks faster.”
“It’s a bummer the race won’t be on Patriots Day, as usual,” Levy said. “But, you know, oral health is important.”
