Races Half marathon · New London, USA
John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon
John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon is a rolling half marathon in New London, USA, held each August. A loop on paved roads from Ocean Beach Park through New London and Waterford, with views of Long Island Sound. Climbs come around miles 1, 5 to 7 and 10, with a long hill near mile 8. Early August on the Connecticut shoreline is warm and humid, with morning temperatures of about 19 to 28°C. New London's rolling course rewards effort-based pacing — hold steady effort on the rises and let the pace return on the descents.
Page rebuilt 2026-11-14 · race facts not independently verified — confirm dates and entries on the official race site
When
August
every year
Course
rolling
Half marathon
Conditions
Early August on the Connecticut shoreline is warm and humid, with morning temperatures of about 19 to 28°C.
Racing this course well
A loop on paved roads from Ocean Beach Park through New London and Waterford, with views of Long Island Sound. Climbs come around miles 1, 5 to 7 and 10, with a long hill near mile 8.
New London's rolling course rewards effort-based pacing — hold steady effort on the rises and let the pace return on the descents.
Getting a place
- How you get in
- Open entry: first come, first served
- Price
- Free, with a food donation requested (2026 race)
Official John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon site →Checked November 2026
The course in numbers
The hardest climb is around mile 10, with a further long hill near mile 8.
- Layout
- Loop
- Surface
- Paved roads
- Total climb
- 90 m (300 ft)
- Total descent
- 90 m (300 ft)
Worth knowing
- The organisers bill it as Connecticut's oldest shoreline road race.
- Runners are asked to bring food for a local food bank instead of paying an entry fee.
Pick your goal for New London
Pace charts, weekly structure and timelines for the most common half marathon goals:
We don’t hold a confirmed date for this edition, so any countdown comes from the date you enter here.
Build your training around John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon.
RunV works backwards from race day to today. Your plan adapts when life interrupts, and you approve every change. It does not adapt to this specific course — the pacing guidance above is where the course knowledge is.
Everything above stays free and complete — this is an optional next step, not a paywall.
Asked often
- When is the John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon?
- It is held each August in New London, USA. Check the official John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon site for the exact date and entry windows.
- Is the John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon course flat?
- A loop on paved roads from Ocean Beach Park through New London and Waterford, with views of Long Island Sound. Climbs come around miles 1, 5 to 7 and 10, with a long hill near mile 8.
- How do I enter the John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon?
- Open entry: first come, first served. Price: Free, with a food donation requested (2026 race).
- How should I train for the John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon?
- Match your preparation to John & Jessie Kelley Half Marathon's profile and the August weather, then protect consistency — with RunV Premium you can adapt your plan to fit your week, so one bad week never derails the block.
Not sure what to target? Predict your half marathon time from a recent race →
More half marathon races
Supplements research for this distance
Build for New London — around your actual life
RunV engineers your block backwards from race day in August — and adapts it when training doesn't go to script. You approve every change.
