47th Annual Ocean Beach / John & Jessie Kelley 11.6 Mile Road Race Start

I had been planning on doing a long run this weekend and realized the 47th Annual Ocean Beach / John & Jessie Kelley 11.6 Mile Road Race was today. So I took the opportunity to do the race as my long run so I could take part in this long-standing tradition.

The race is and always has been free since its inception in 1963. While you don’t get a race t-shirt, you do get clam chowder at the end and a free pass to Ocean Beach for the day- and of course, a great race experience.

Starting and finishing at Ocean Beach Park, the course is moderate, incorporating a mix of flat terrain and a few hills. There are shady parts of the course that offer relief from the hot August sun as well as regular water stops and local residents offering sprays from their hoses. The route also takes you by very pleasant areas of Waterford and New London, with views of the harbor, well-kept residential areas, and Harkness Memorial Park.

Finishing the Kelley Race

The most challenging section is probably around miles 7-9 where you begin a shadeless ascent on Boston Post Road surrounded by strip malls and heavy traffic.

The course is open, so runners must be aware of cars throughout the route. Most runners took advantage of the sidewalk on the Boston Post Road portion.

The race was timed by Snerro, and mile and course markers were spray-painted in green on the pavement.

In summary, if you haven’t taken part in this race before, you should mark your calendars for next year’s event. The hot weather can make the race challenging, but it is a largely nice route with a friendly atmosphere and a great sense of camaraderie.