Mike Fanelli Obituary-Death News; Longtime Track And Field Legend, Mike Fanelli Passes Away By Cancer
By Christopher Ramos
Mike Fanelli Obituary-Death News; Longtime Track And Field Legend, Mike Fanelli Passes Away By Cancer
A prolific distance runner/marathoner has tragically died. Mike Fanelli passed away last night after a long battle with brain cancer.
Michael Fanelli was a McDevitt High School and San Francisco State University graduate. The longtime Promotions Director for Reebok International, renowned track and field journalist died on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 after battling the deadly illness, according to his family.
“I am greatly saddened by the news of the passing of a great presence in the running community, and my respected friend, Mike Fanelli.
Mike was a competitor of mine, a training partner, and nearly a roommate of mine. He was a coach, an agent, a shoe industry big boy, an announcer, an athletics historian, and owner/curator of perhaps the finest privately held track and field museum.”
Mike endowed a scholarship at his collegiate alma mater, and has a collegiate athletics meeting named after him. He wore every one of these varied hats with class, dignity, and integrity.
Mike completed his 115,000 running mile in October. He ran on over 200 different tracks. I know his spirit is still running.
Mike was a friend, husband, fellow runner, historian, coach and just a great all around individual. Far too many of those from our running community have bid us all fair well, way to early! Mike may your journey and transition to your next calling be swift, graceful and light on your feet.
I’ll be waiting and looking forward with anticipation for our next run and beer with great running history chatter. Prayers for your wife and family while they deal with your passing! You will be sorely missed my friend but never forgotten.”
“It is with unbearable sadness that I share with you that Michael has passed away from brain cancer, at home, surrounded by loved ones. While he was a public figure in many ways, he was also a very private person.
Because of that, he chose not to share his diagnosis broadly, preferring to live his life as if he was living, not dying. A little over a year ago, Michael was diagnosed with glioblastoma.
Nevertheless, he faced this journey in the same way he approached all he did in life: with determination, discipline, dignity, and optimism.
As a coach, he often told runners to divide the race into thirds: “Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your personality, and the final third, with your heart.
In many ways, it’s how he took on his illness. Through it all, he continued to do the things he loved, including running, of course.
