The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-19
KELLEY STRONG
 CHOICE TO COP
 HUB MARATHON
PawsOn and Porter Be- lieved Best Threats; De
 Mar Dreams Victory
By ERNEST BARCELLA United Press Stan CorrespOndent)

0y ERNEST 6AHCELA4A United Press Stan CorrespOndent)
 Boston, April 19-UP)--Arling- tons Thin Man., John Adelbert Kelley, ruled top-heavy favorite to pace star-studded swar11l1of Amer ican and Canadian distance runners to the finish line today in the 41st annual Boston A. A. marathon.
 Though showers weer forecast, the day dawned clear with promise of becoming quite warm before the start at noon.
 A field of 211 was scheduled to toe the mark for the heart-breaking 26-mile- -385-yard grind from Hop kinton to Exeter street in, Boston's Back Bay. Upwards of half a mill lion spectators will line the course to watch this Patriots day test of speed and endurance-the classic among American marathons.
 New Record?
 Winner of the 1885 race and only American to finish in the 1886 Olympic marathon, Kelley not only was the choice to win, but was con- ceded a good chance of bettering the course record of 2:31:O1.6 estab- lished by Les Pawson of Pawtucket, R. l., in 1883.
 The 29-year-old unemployed fly ing florist" will be pitted against a pack of ploddgers that rates as one of the best in the history of the classic. Seven previous winners are entered.
 Besides Kelley and Pawson, there are Clarence De Mar, seYen-time winner and ace of them all; defend ing Champion Ellison (Tarzan) Brown of Bradford, R. l., Dave Ko- monen of Sudbury, Ont, 1884 win ner; Paul Debruyn of New oYrk, 1882 winner, and Bricklayer Bill Kennedy of East Port Chester, Conn, who triumphed in 1917 and who will be running the tooth and possibly last marathon race of his career.
 Pawson and Mel Porter of New ark, N. J., along with Walter Young of Canada, loomed as Kelley's, chief threats. Word also was out to watch De Mar who is gunning for third place, while Anthony Paskell of West Lynn and Girard Cote of Can- ada were standouts among the "un- knowns". Pat Dengis of Baltimore alaso was expected to finish among the leaders. s Meanwhile, the feeling persisted that Brown, although he underwent a serious operation during the win ter and has only 12 days of training under his belt, may surprise by fin- ishing high.
 On His Toes Only a month ago, Kelley served notice that he was in rare form by bettering his own record in winning the 20-mile North Medford run. In last years B. A. A. run, Kelley was a disappointing fifth-the result of case of jitters brought on by the realization that this was an Olym- pics tryout race. Freed of this men, tai hazard, Kelley was expected to run one of the greatest races of his career tomorrow.
 Young rates as a serious con- tender on the basis of his perform ance in the recent North Medford run in which he was runner-up to Kelley. Pawson now is in his best form since he hung up new record for the course in 1883, while Porter rates among the leaders because of his consistency.
 Before each of the seven races he has won, De Mar has dreamed of victory. There were no dreams of the marathon before the II other B. A. A. races he didn't win. Though he will be shooting for third place, De Mar reportedly says he has had another of his victory dreams. To- morrow will determine whether this one, too, was the Mccoy or just nightmare.