Arch Jelley will be forever known In New Zealand athletics circles as the man on the side of the track with a stopwatch in hand.

But it seems as if time has never caught up with the great coach, he's now 102 years old and has finally been awarded a life membership by Athletics New Zealand.

"It's a great privilege," said Jelley.

"On the other hand, it's rather unique that a person of 102 years of age can get a life membership," he said with a chuckle.

It sure has taken a while for the great coach to join the elite club but the award is all done on nominations. It was long-time administrator and friend Murray McKinnon who finally did the honours.

"When i first rang him and I said we've nominated you, he went typical Arch, 'oh alright'," McKinnon said.

"I told him the story that I did the same for Arthur Lydiard when I nominated him for his life membership. The first thing Lydiard said was 'why has it taken so long?'"

It has been an even longer wait for Arch, said McKinnon, for a man that started coaching in 1957 and was still coaching in 2016, getting a person to the Olympic Games. "That's an amazing record!"

Jelley's service to the sport has been for much more than 60 years. He was an early adopter of the great Lydiard's methods, but also introduced a few things of his own.

Sir John Walker is his most famous student and many others celebrated Jelley today at his retirement home in Green Bay.

"Without Arch's guidance I wouldn't have been at the 1966 Commonwealth Games," said Bronze medallist miler Ian Studd, "let alone getting a medal."

Jelley has racked up a few accolades over his 102 years but he rates his his life membership highly.

"This is a tribute to what I've put into athletics over a very long period. This will take pride of place."