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Champions' Breakfast - Remembering Johnny by Carol Goodrow
In memory of Johnny A. Kelley. Number 61 is retired. This was John's last Boston number. He had entered the marathon 61 times. No one else will ever be given this number at the Boston Marathon.
The Boston Marathon is full of tradition. Each year, past champions are brought back to the marathon and recognized at a breakfast - the Champions' Breakfast. This year's breakfast was held to honor 4 past winners: Jacqueline Gareau - 1980, Bob Hall - 1975, 1977, Lisa Rainsberger - 1985, and Bill Rodgers - 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980. It was also held as a tribute to John A. Kelley. |
April 18, 2005
Some of our long distance greats were honored at the pre-race festivities of the Boston Marathon by the Boston Athletic Association.
1980, 84TH BOSTON MARATHON: JACQUELINE GAREAU Time: 2:34:28 (2 hours, 34 minutes, 28 seconds)
Age: 27
Country: Canada
Jacqueline won the race with a record setting time. However, she was denied her moment of glory. When she arrived at the finish line another woman stood on the victory podium. 1980 was the year that Rosie Ruiz jumped into the race at Kenmore Square and pretended to be the marathon winner. This year, 2005, Jacqueline acted as grand marshal of the Boston Marathon and broke the tape at the finish line in front of the crowd.
2005: Quote: "I will have lots of goosebumps." (On how she'll feel when she breaks the tape.) "I just feel like a queen right now. I'm in my friendship town."
1975, 1977 79TH and 81ST BOSTON MARATHONS: BOB HALLTime (1975): 2:58 (2 hours, 58 minutes)
Age: 23
Country: U.S.A.
1975: Bob Hall was the first wheelchair finisher to be officially recognized by the B.A.A. He had been promised a finisher's certificate if he could finish in under 3 hours. Bob Hall inspired a generation of wheelchair competitors.
Quote: "Who would have thought back then that the B.A.A. would be so inclusive?" On accepting his number, he said, "My dad took me to the Boston Marathon so this is for him."
1985, 89TH BOSTON MARATHON: LISA LARSEN-WEIDENBACH (now Lisa Rainsberger)Time: 2:34:06 (2 hours, 34 minutes, 06 seconds)
Age: 23
Country: U.S.A.
Lisa was the 1984 U.S. women's Olympic Marathon alternate. This was her first Boston run. She is also a triathlete. She attended the breakfast with her two young children.
Quote: Ian is a tornado. He's three.
1975, 1978, 1979, 1980 79TH, 82ND, 88TH, and 89TH BOSTON MARATHONS: BILL RODGERSTime: 1975 2:09:55 (2 hours, 9 minutes, and 55 seconds), 2:10:13, 2:09:27, 2:12:11
Age: 27
Country: U.S.A.
Boston Billy was the "People's Choice". He's credited with being the marathoner most responsible for making the marathon a popular distance. Bill Rodgers broke the record in the 1975 race even though he stopped four times for water and one time to tie his shoes.
Quote: "You can't help but get emotional."
TRIBUTE TO John A. Kelley
John A. Kelley passed away in October, 2004. He will be dearly missed at the Boston Marathon. John won the marathon twice, placed second seven times and ran the marathon a total of 61 times - the last time at in 1992 at the age of 84. John served, for many years, as the grand marshal of the marathon. He was a working-man's hero in the time before money prizes were awarded in the marathon. He was also an Olympian. John inspired many by his perseverence, love of the fans and fanfare and by his just plain hard work and determination.
For the past few years, Amby Burfoot has dedicated his Boston Marathon seminar to John. John would talk about his simple running principles, how running has changed and he would always delight the audience with his singing of "Young at Heart".
This year the seminar was a tribute to Johnny. The B.A.A. breakfast video was reshown in the seminar. Friends of Johnny's reminisced and we all stood up and sang "Young at Heart."
There is so much richness to this fellow's life that a short mention can't do him justice. Please don't hesitate to find out all that you can about this great runner. For starters read the book "Young at Heart" by Frederick Lewis. It's Johnny's biography and appropriate for people of all ages. I'm reading it now.
Also read "The Legend" in the May 2005 issue of Runner's World magazine.
Runner's World seminar -singing "Young at Heart" in Johnny's memory
Champions' Breakfast, 2004, 96 year-old John A. Kelley (1935, 1945 winner) breakfasts on fresh and a healthy muffin.
Quote: "Have you got the stuff?" .... John A. Kelley
