Johnny Kelley

Johnny Kelley was often called Johnny “The Younger” Kelley, to distinguish him from the U.S. Olympic marathoner of the 1930s-40s, John Adelbert Kelley. The Younger was the top U.S. marathoner of the later 50s and early 60s. He is best known for winning the AAU Marathon for eight consecutive years (1956-63). Twice a competitor at the Pan American Games, he was the marathon gold medalist in 1959. He won the Boston Marathon in 1957 and finished second in that race five times. He continued to compete at Boston thru 1992, leaving the race in the same year that Johnny “The Elder” Kelley did. Kelley the Younger was a high school teacher and track coach in Groton, Connecticut.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-20:05 (1957).