While traveling for my job, by coincidence, I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of John Kelley (The Younger). I met him by signing up for the FROSTBITE FIVE MILER. His wife, Jessie works at Kelley's Pace, Mystic's running store. As her grandson, Jordan, registered Bill & me, Jessie & I chatted. I told her that my husband was coming down for the weekend to run the race. She wanted to know "who he was." I said "No one famous or anything, although he does run fast enough to qualify to run Boston." Her casual reply was

Bill Paradis and Johnny J. Kelley, 1957 Boston Marathon winner and eight time U.S. National Marathon Champion, in his kitchen, in Mystic, CT Note: John is wearing a Rochester Runners Shirt

SPOTLIGHT: John J. Kelley (the younger)
"The Official Leprechaun Man" By Kathy Paradis

Occupation: Retired English Teacher & Cross Country Coach, Fitch High School Groton,CT. He ran to and from school (5 miles each way) every day. At Fitch, he coached Amby Burfoot, 1968 Boston Marathon winner. Today, he meets, every two weeks, with home schooled children, at a local library & he drives a taxi, part-time.

What got you interested in running? I was 14 years old and got talked into running by my young friend, George Terry. Another reason was the school's Running Coach, who also happened to be a dynamic teacher. A man of many talents, Mal Greenaway, taught a photography class and posted pictures of runners on the wall. I quickly discovered that I loved running cross country. Unlike track, I enjoyed being on the trails. If I had started out on the track, I wouldn't have stayed with running.

You & your wife, Jessie, have been married for 50 years! Any children? Yes, three girls, Julie, Kathleen,& Eileen;Eight grandchildren;.One dog, Marcus;Three cats, Max, Martine, & Pepe.

What was it like to win the Boston Marathon? Well, the journalistic attitude was that we were an arcane (secret/mysterious) activity. My mother would get phone calls from those fearing that I would die of a heart attack! Boston is an unyielding mistress. It's a bitch to train for & to win. But yet, it is the biggest reward for your efforts. I wasn't in the lead the entire time, running with a pack of about 16 runners. I passed the Finn (the favorite), Karvonen, at about mile 16, on a hill.

How about coming in 2nd at Boston? I had to teach school the next day. All I got was "What happened?!" "What happened?!" It would have been nice to have stayed home, but I had a job to go to the next day. No "Congratulations?" No. They just couldn't understand why I lost!

Favorite Race? The Human Race! Which is also my most unfavorite race! Ha! Seriously, difficult to decide Hmm . . . Winning Boston, Boston Yonkers, & Ocean Beach.