The course changed with road constructions, measuring from 10.6 to 11.6 miles through most of its history. In 2017, it changed to a half marathon, and began drawing upwards of 1000 runners again.
The course has never been easy or pleasant. For many years, the race started at noon like other New England road races that mimicked the Boston Marathon's start time (in April!). In 1975, it was over 100 F on the start line.
The race has always been supported by Ocean Beach Park administration and local communities. For the last several decades, it has been managed by Way Hedding and SNERRO, the Southern New England Road Race Officials. Finishers receive chowder and soft drinks, and a refreshing dip in Long Island Sound with a view of Long Island and Fishers Island.
Ocean Beach Kelley Road Race Winners
First Sat Aug. Since 1963 Inclusive, New London, CT
MEN WOMEN
1963 John J. Kelley 54:51
1964 John J. Kelley 57:13
1965 Ambrose Burfoot 60:42
1966 Ambrose Burfoot 57:05
1967 Ambrose Burfoot 56:45
1968 James Keefe 57:31
1969 Ambrose Burfoot 58:31
1970 Norman Higgins 55:12 Nina Kuscsik ~77:30
1971 Ambrose Burfoot 57:10 ?
1972 John Vitale 55:14 Kathy McIntyre 73:42
1973 Thomas Fleming 56:24 Barbara Wynne 85:36
1974 Morgan Fennell 56:55 Mary Mapelli 77:48
1975 Justin Gubbins 60:56 Marilyn Bevans 86:17
1976 Ambrose Burfoot 58:09 Ann Dunham 84:32
1977 John Vitale 61:36 Lauri Pedrinan 75:36
1978 Ambrose Burfoot 58:58 Carolyn Bravakis 73:19
1979 Thomas Grundy 60:41 Robin Ladis 67:37
1980 Paul Friedman 57:09 Katie McDonald 74:52
1981 John Vitale 58:32 Deede Garvey 74:09
1982 James Flynn 58:10 Jane Welzel 67:15
1983 Odis Sanders 57:46 Jane Welzel 69:11
1984 Gary Nixon 58:59 Agnes Ruane 69:21
1985 Gary Nixon 57:33 Agnes Ruane 66:57
1986 Wayne Jacob 59:52 Kathy McIntyre 73:47
1987 Wayne Jacob 57:32 Carla Brown 70:55
1988 Joe Banas 64:45 Mary Lynn Pastizzo 70:39
1989 Wayne Jacob 60:07 Mary Lynn Pastizzo 72:50
1990 Spyros Barres 60:40 Kelly Pinckney 74:08
1991 Kevin Grant 58:59 Kelly Pinckney 71:30
1992 Spyros Barres 62:21 Mary Lynn Pastizzo 69:59
1993 Glen Guillemette 59:46 #Heather Dawson 70:55
1994 Glen Guillemette 60:00 Kim Goff 68:48
1995 Uri Romaniuk 63:05 Heather Bessette 70:22
1996 Eric Woronick 61:52 Heather Bessette 71:04
1997 Glen Guillemette 61:08 Heather Bessette 74:22
1998 Peter Oviatt 62:28 Kerry Arsenault 70:58
1999 Jeff Novak 62:34 Kerry Arsenault 72:43
2000 Brad Malay 63:56 Heather Bessette 72:15
2001 Ben Smith 64:29 Melissa Perkins-Banas 72:15
2002 Greg Wenneborg 61:30 Maura Danahy 74:21
2003 Gavin Coombs 60:55 Carolyn Verdon 75:58
2004 Chadwick Brown 62:20 Kerry Arsenault 68:35
2005 Brendan Brown 64:18 Melissa Perkins-Banas 75:25
2006 Gavin Coombs 61:59 Melissa Perkins-Banas 74:25
2007 Eric Blake 63:18 Melissa Perkins-Banas 75:52
2008 Mark Olivier 64:16 Tara Cardi 75:19
2009 Samuel Alexander 63:02 Laura Brustolon 74:47
2010 Kevin O'Neil 63:47 Laura Brustolon 73:20
2011 Michael Conway 60:46 Laura Brustolon 71:34
2012 Michael Leduc 64:26 Laura Brustolon 70:18
2013 Everett Hackett 59:36 Kristina Dearborn 70:25
2014 Michael Conway 60:34 Laura Brustolon 70:00
2015 Everett Hackett 60:01 Sybil Shapiro 73:37
2016 William Sanders 62:13 Kristen Rudd 74:23
2017 Everett Hackett 1:09:11 Brianna Demers 1:24:08
2018 Donn Cabral 1:09:39 Brandy LeClair 1:25:42
2019 Everett Hackett 1:08:39 Sydney Devore 1:22:42
2020 **virtual run only**
2021 Alex Nordstrom 1:10:23 Jessie Cardin 1:14:25
# later Heather Bessette, so 5 total wins
^ Christian Murray ran his first Kelley race as a 12-yr old in 1976. He has not missed one since. Last year, 2021, was his 46th in a row.
* changed to Half Marathon in 2017
+ results compiled by Bill Billing