Despite some controversy that led to a new finish, the 42nd annual New Year's Day Run and Swim, which begins at the Mystic home of the late John Kelley, will take place Jan. 1 at noon.

The route for this year's event was in question as Groton Long Point officials said the runners could not use the main beach because of construction. In addition, some Groton Long Point residents were upset about parking problems and excessive drinking by a small group of runners in past years.

So the "unofficial" leaders of the "informal" event, such as Jim Roy and Steve Fagin, met with Groton officials to come up with a new finish, which they decided will be at Esker Point Beach at the entrance to Groton Long Point.

The new finish will knock about a mile off the traditional 5-mile jog. But Esker Point offers a large parking lot for spectators and runners instead of illegally parking along the streets of Groton Long Point.

Roy pointed out that Esker Point was the finish for the first run and swim done by Kelley, Amby Burfoot, Leland Burbank and Marty Valentine back in 1969.

"So it's not a break in tradition but actually going back to where we were," he said.

Roy said the beach is also very wide so the runners, who stay in a pack during the run, will also be able to take their post-run dip together. At Groton Long Point, the runners' entry into the cold water was staggered, as they had to descend a set of stairs or jump off the seawall.

Both Roy and Fagin thanked Groton Town Police Chief Michael Crowley and Town Manager Mark Oefinger for working with them to come up with a new finish.

"We appreciate their efforts to make sure this event will continue," Fagin said.

They also thanked Groton Long Point Association President Bob Congdon for offering another beach for the runners to use this year.

Roy and Fagin said it is unknown whether the event will return to Groton Long Point or remain at Esker Point.

"There's a chance we may go back to Groton Long Point next year. They said we're welcome in the future. So we'll take an informal poll and see," Fagin said.

One thing Roy would like to do in the future is move the start from the Kelley home at 415 Pequot Avenue to the eventual site of the statue honoring Kelley.

The 1957 Boston Marathon winner and two-time Olympian died in August and a group led by Roy is trying to raise $100,000 to erect a statue of him. They have raised $7,000 so far. More information about the effort is at www.johnkelley.org.

It will be high tide for the swim portion of the event and Roy suggested that runners keep their shoes on in case of sharp shells or rocks.

Roy said the annual free event is great because you see people you might not see the rest of the year. For some runners who do not race, it's the one event they participate in each year.

"For many of us, we're all so old now that New Year's Eve is nothing. New Year's Day is the big thing now," he said.

Joe Wojtas is The Day's running columnist.