At The Feet of the Masters

Yesterday, I ran a race and went to a party afterwards. To say there was a plethora of running talent there would be an understatement. I am a guest at the home of Patti and Dan Dillon (and their kids, Aaron and Raven). In this house, it's Patti who is the better runner. Those of you who are old-timers may know her as Patti Catalano or Patti Lyons. I am unsure of all the details - there are so many that missing one or two is an easy mistake to make, so please don't consider this authoritative. I tend to consider Patti's biggest achievement to be her three consecutive Boston Marathon seconds, but it may well be her 5 wins in the Honolulu Marathon, or her similar handful at Ocean State. For a time, she held the American record at most distances from 5K to the Marathon. She's also held world records. Dan only made the US National Cross-Country seven? times, placed eighth at Boston in 1985, so that makes him the running lightweight.

The race yesterday was held in honor of Johnny Kelley, the younger. Kelley won Boston in 1957. He was on two Olympic teams, 1956 and 1960. He won the US Marathon Championship eight times IN A ROW. To say that he was the dominant American marathoner for most of a decade would probably be understating things a bit. Kelley was at the race yesterday. Kelley's career was mostly as a teacher, and he coached at the high school level. One of his proteges won the Boston Marathon in 1968.

At the party was Nina Kuscsik, who is in the books as the first woman to win Boston. She might have more than one, but Boston didn't permit women until 1972?

Also at race and the party was Amby Burfoot. You likely know him as a senior editor at Runner's World, but he was the Kelley protege who won Boston in 1968.

Also at the party was two-time New York Marathon winner, Tom Fleming. His list of accomplishments is also huge. He also was the first openly professional runner in many years.

One person who'd likely have been there, but had a prior commitment was Bill Rodgers.

These great racers had come out to pay tribute to Kelley, who'd offered support and encouragement to many of them in various ways through the years. As I understand it, the Kelleys often hosted visiting runners, with Mrs. Kelley making them comfortable while they consulted with the master. Their contribution to the sport of running in the U.S. was huge. Mrs. Kelley had passed away a few years back, and much of the local running community misses her greatly, with many wearing shirts emblazoned with WMLK (for "We Love Mrs. Kelley"). It was a special race.