One of the most colorful characters in the history of the
B.A.A. Boston Marathon, John A. Kelley, was a fixture of the race for nearly seven decades. A starter on race day 61 times, Kelley completed 58 Boston Marathons. Kelley was not only a two-time winner of Boston (1935 and 1945), but he also finished second a record seven times and recorded 18 finishes in the top 10. Kelley first competed in the race in 1928, but it was not until 1933, in his third attempt, that he completed the course, placing 37th in 3:03:56. He completed his last marathon at Boston in 1992 at the age of 84. In 1993, the statue "Young at Heart" was dedicated in honor of Kelley. Located at the base of Heartbreak Hill in Newton, a landmark which had its name coined in reference to one of Kelley's seven runner-up performances, the statue depicts a young Kelley winning in 1935 at age 27 and clasping hands with an older Kelley finishing in 1991 at age 83. The sculpture stands in tribute to his longevity and spirit. Kelley served as the Boston Marathon's grand marshal from 1995-2004 (missing only 1999 due to illness), preceding the race in a pace car. On October 6, 2004, John A. Kelley passed away, leaving behind him an endless trail of contributions to the sport of running that will continue to inspire generations of athletes for years to come.