Mourning the loss of Johnny Kelley

Without a doubt, a name in the sport of running and marathoning that we all know: Johnny Kelley

Johnny Kelley, a two-time Olympian who won the 1957 Boston Marathon died Sunday morning in North Stonington. He was 80. Often referred to as Kelley the Younger, to avoid confusion with John A. Kelley, who won the 1935 and 1945 Boston Marathon


After the pinnacle of his career as a runner, he went on to a successful career as high school running coach. At Fitch High School in Groton, Connecticut, Kelley coached Amby Burfoot, winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon.

I can still recall meeting Johnny Kelley on the morning of the Boston Marathon in Hopkinton as he was driven through the field of waiting, anxious runners on a golf cart - and then met him again nearly 10 years later in Cape Cod at the Johnny Kelley road race in Orleans. The most striking memory I have of Johnny Kelley in the very little interaction I had with him, was during the award ceremony of that same Johnny Kelley road race event.

Seeing him start the race and walking among the runners caused an excitement like no other, that I had experienced at a road race. While it might have been more expected and typical for the local runners who have known him, when Mr Kelley came up to the podium after the race, I expected to hear inspirational words for the runners completing the race or words of congratulations to the winners. But no. As he slowly made his way to the front of the stage to the sound of thunderous applause, he proceeded not to speak, but to sing, "Young at Heart". 

He led the crowd in a chorus or two. Nodded in appreciation and with a slight wave, exited the stage again to applause and teary-eyed runners.

Sad to see the loss of such an inspirational figure in the running community.

http://www.theday.com/article/20110822/NWS01/308229967/1070/biz