RIP Mike Fanelli - track and field super fan and historian has died at 67

Yeah, this is really a shock. I can't imagine how someone could be a bigger fan than he was. I wonder if he willed his garage contents to anyone. RIP, Mike.

Why was it a shock? How old was he? Was he Gary’s brother? RIP.

Is he really the brother of Gary Fanelli, the Olympic marathoner who always wears costumes at races?

mikefanellitrackclassic.com

Mike Fanelli — Mike Fanelli Track Classic

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lifetimerunning.net

PROFILE--Mike Fanelli has been racing for 50 years

(Sep 2020) Mike Fanelli is almost without peer as a collector of track and running photos, programs, and other odds 'n' ends. His Facebook p...

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Gary was Mike’s brother.

My bad. I guess he was about 66. Too young. He sounds like he was a character.

runnersworld.com

The World’s Most Impressive Track and Field Collection Might Be in This Guy’s Garage

For over 50 years, Mike Fanelli has kept the sport’s history alive—and he still has work to do.

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He was only 67. Passed from brain cancer which he didn't disclose publicly so it is a shock to many.

Stunned and saddened

RIP

Mike was a great guy who was always willing to share all he knew about track and field. I was lucky to have known him and to have talked shop with him.

Rest in peace Mike.

I just found out about his passing away

Found it. I normally don't say much or care when someone dies but Mike Fanelli was a class act. I like to celebrate life and those who lived. May we always remember how great of a person he was.

Mike was a dear friend. Revered owner and curator of the Track and Field Garage. I donated many Cerutty related treasures to him. We had a friendly competition over total miles run. He was so proud of his 115,000, 4 trips around the sun miles. When I had a heart attack back in 2020 and we were so close to our totals, he slowed it down until I recovered. We kept in constant contact as he encouraged and supported my recovery. We communicated only a few short weeks ago as he wondered how I was able to pass him in total miles as if he "was standing still". He made no excuses and offered no explanation. That was Mike. A true sportsman and a true competitor. RIP my friend.

This is terribly sad. Mike‘s Facebook posts about the history of running were always informative and conveyed his genuine love of the sport.

I only met him once — it was in Eugene, at the 2022 Worlds, I believe — and he was so friendly, full of energy and passion. I’ll leave the longer tributes to those who knew him better, but I’m sad to hear that his passion has been extinguished from our sport.

The running community lost a gem of a human being. RIP my friend.

Sounds like he was a nice guy who really loved track/running.

RIP and condolences to those on here who knew him.

Mike was a great guy. Met him and Peanut Harms at the 2009 Nationals. They invited and friend of mine and I to sit with them and talk track at one of the local bars in Eugene pre-meet. He was a great source of track knowledge, and a fun, passionate track and field fan. He will be missed.

It was a shock because none of us who knew him knew he was sick. He kept that private. He was posting running stuff on Facebook as recently as last week and it was just the same sorts of things he'd been putting there for years. Nothing that he posted had even the foggiest hint that anything was wrong.I'm not sure how old he was but I'm 71 and he was maybe two years younger. We ran against each other a couple times in college and I'm pretty sure I was a junior when he was a freshman. And yes, he was Gary's brother.

Can't believe I'm not going to hang with him a bit this summer at the Trials. Say what you want about Eugene, but one of the biggest reasons I didn't (and don't) want it moving was knowing I'd run into him and all the other 'regulars' (including Peanut).