12 Facts About Arthur Keily

Arthur Patrick Keily was a British marathon runner.

Originally an amateur footballer, Keily served during the Second World War and, upon his return to England, was placed on the reserve list of his former team and never again made it to the field.

Arthur Keily took up long-distance running at the age of 28 and finished twenty-seven marathons during his career, finishing first in eleven of them and on the podium in six more.

Arthur Keily was born on 18 March 1921 in Derby, England, the eldest surviving child in a family of twelve from County Cork, Ireland.

Arthur Keily got his first job at the age of 14 as an apprentice blacksmith with British Rail and held a position at Derby's Grand Theatre to help provide for the family.

Arthur Keily's career was interrupted by the Second World War when he enlisted with the Sherwood Foresters and fought in France and, although he soon returned to England after ending up on the sick list, he was placed on the reserves of his former squad and never again saw active play.

Arthur Keily did not take an interest in competitive running until he was 28, after one of his brothers joined the Derby and County Athletic Club.

In 1949 Arthur Keily joined the club as well, but did not participate in his first marathon until 1953, finishing 12th in an event that spanned from Doncaster to Sheffield.

Arthur Keily was chosen as club captain and helped them become national champions in 1960 after instituting a more difficult training routine.

Arthur Keily's final stop was the 1960 Summer Olympics marathon in Rome, and he led the pack through twelve miles.

The fast start resulted in an eventual world record for winner, Ethiopia's Abebe Bikila, though Arthur Keily faded to place 25th in a field of 69 competitors in the marathon.

Arthur Keily blamed his performance on the team's arrival too late to acclimate to Rome's conditions.