Johnny Kelley, 97; Called ‘Icon’ of Boston Marathon

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The New York Sun

Johnny Kelley, a two-time Boston Marathon champion who became an “icon for all of running” by completing the race a record 58 times, died Wednesday at age 97.


Kelley died three hours after moving from his home in Dennis, Mass., to a nearby nursing home


Kelley, an Olympian who was named “Runner of the Century” by Runner’s World magazine, won Boston in 1935 and 1945 and finished second a record seven times. But Kelley was best known for his longevity, competing in 61 Boston Marathons, also a record, and finishing 18 times in the top 10.


His tenure tracked the growth of the Boston contest. He was one of 285 entrants in his first race, in 1928; by his last, in 1992, there were 9,629 entrants, along with television cameras and $418,000 in prizes.


His 1935 victory, at age 27, came in 2:32:07. He arrived at the finish line even before the tape. In 1945, he won in 2:30:40. Kelley continued to race at Boston through 1992, missing only 1968. He finished his final race at age 84 in 5:58:00.


Kelley finished 18th in the 1936 Olympic marathon in Berlin. He made the Olympic team in 1940, but the games were canceled because of World War II. At age 40, he finished 21st in the 1948 London Olympics.


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