KING OF THE ROAD

From running every Dublin marathon to driving Rory Mcllroy and Tiger Woods, Martin Kelly has covered millions of miles in his extraordinary life

- BY DARAGH SMALL

THEY are an elite group, just half a dozen remain and between them they have amassed over 11,000km but Martin Kelly is the youngest still running the Dublin Marathon, 45 years later.

In 1980 his late mother, Nora, signed a form that gave him permission to run in the first instalment alongside around 2,500 others.

He clocked his personal best as an 18-year-old the following year, the time of 2.47 still stands as he steps out on Leeson Street tomorrow, looking to get around and continue a fine tradition.

Kelly's Dublin PB has him among the top 1% of marathon runners worldwide, while his four hole-in-ones on the golf course paint the picture of someone who has lived a life less ordinary.

Rory Mcllroy has only made three hole-in-ones in his pro career and Kelly was chauffeuring the Masters champion around The K Club last month.

“T retired from Aviva a couple of years ago, I always liked driving and worked at The Open for the last 15 years, I drive one of the courtesy cars” said Kelly.

“Tm not the type that when you say youre retired, you sit at home with the slippers on. I just enjoy driving and you meet all sorts of different people.

“Tt gets you out and about and no two days are the same, you call it yourself if youre busy. I work for two or three companies, and they ring you and say how are you fixed next Monday or Tuesday? If Tm available, grand, we'll send you on the job and come up and collect the car. It’s turning a hobby into a bit of a business.

“This year I got a lovely opportunity at The K Club. Rory Mcllroy was fully kitted with his green jacket, he was going over to a function on the Thursday and myself and one of the other lads were tasked with bringing him.

“He's top class. Technically youre not supposed to ask for photographs and autographs but getting out of the car he said: ‘lads would you like a photograph?”