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During the 50's and early 60's, Schaefer Day was an annual sports-oriented event, with swimming contests at the Ocean Beach Pool, auto races at the Waterford Speed Bowl, and a fireworks show at the New London Pier. In 1963 event sponsor F & F Distributors representing the F & M Schaefer Brewing Company met with Beach Manager Tony Pero, also attending the meeting were, John Priolo, Anthony Sabilia, and John Dempsey.

The plan was to organize a 12 mile road race on the roads of New London and Waterford, starting and finishing at Ocean Beach Park. A plan was adapted for the race which is always held on the first Saturday in August. From inception, race has been no entry fee. The first running of the Schaefer Race in 1963 drew 19 starters and was won by John J. Kelley, a native of New London, then living in Mystic with a time of 54:51.4 over the 10.5 mile course. The 1957 Boston Marathon Champion, Kelley won the first two races, followed by three straight wins for Amby Burfoot, the 1968 Boston Marathon Champion. Another local runner, New York City Marathon Champion Norm Higgins won the race in 1970.

Over the years the course distance has changed several times due to road construction. Traditionally starting at noon, moved to 10:00 a.m. in 1980, and moved to 9:00 a.m. in 1989. The race was billed "for serious runners only" and the quality of winners backed this claim. Women first appeared in the Schaefer race in 1970 when Nina Kuscik of New York finished in 72nd place. That year the race had 148 entries, topping the 100 mark for the first time. Race Director, John Priolo changed the race name in 1974 to the John J. Kelley Road Race, as an expression of gratitude for the veteran runner's many road racing accomplishments.

In 1977 the race attracted 204 runners, sending the entry list over 200 for the first time. When John Priolo moved to Florida, Anthony Sabilia and John Dempsey took over as race co-directors and in 1989 they passed the reins to Way Hedding. In 2003 Jessie Kelley's name was added to the race title following her death in 2003. In 2012 the race drew 758 official entries. Selected by New England Runner Magazine "2012 Race of the Year".

Beach Manager Dave Sugrue and his very capable staff will be on hand to insure everything runs smoothly at the beach. Race timing provided by SNERRO, who has timed this race from it's inception in 1963.

The Kelley Course is a13.1 mile measured loop, all on paved roads. Race starts and finishes in Ocean Beach Park. Plenty of parking, arrive early to avoid heavy beach traffic. Mostly flat with a few rolling hills, long hill at eight miles. Enjoy panoramic vistas of Long Island Sound on the way out and on the return to the beach with rural roads and a commercial stretch in Waterford.

Course is very well marked, all turns and mile marks in green paint. Roads are open to traffic, runners are asked toplease exercise caution at all times. Eight official water stops on course. New London Police, Waterford Police, and Waterford FirePolice will be on the course at busy road crossings, along with N.L.F.D. at start/finish line.

The race begins and ends at Willamette Pass Ski Area, 70 miles southeast of Eugene, Oregon on Highway 58 at an elevation of 5120′. The course is mostly single-track trail with more than 11,000′ of elevation gain and equal amount of loss. There are 3 major climbs of more than 2000′ each and 2 minor climbs of more than 1000′ each. High point is 7818′ at the top of Maiden Peak. Low point is at Gold Lake, about 4900′.

Second half of the course is remote. From the Rd. 4290 (A6) aid station at 37 miles to the finish the course does not cross a road. Dropping out in that section will not make your life much easier. The last 3 aid stations have 1.5, 3.0, and 2.5 mile hikes out on trail, respectively.

The course is not easy.
We attribute this to the amount of single track, the length of the climbs, the altitude, and the length of the course.

The race starts in Wrightwood, the picturesque mountain resort community. Located in picturesque Swartout Canyon at 6,000 ft. on the north slope of the rugged San Gabriel Mountains. It then follows portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (where it climbs Mount Baden-Powell), the Silver Moccasin Trail, and the Gabrielino Trail and then finishes at Loma Alta Park in Altadena.