Gary Fanelli, an Oreland native and 1968 graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, will be inducted into the Belmont Plateau Cross Country Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 29 at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia.

As a Lancer, Fanelli won the 880m at the Philadelphia City Track & Field Championship. He went on to run the marathon for American Samoa at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, finishing in 51st place.

An excerpt from Fanelli’s Hall of Fame biography:

He received national notoriety a few times, one by leading the 1980 USA Olympic Trials Marathon for 15 miles (1:04.39 at 13.1 miles) during the boycott year. Fanelli’s fast pace helpd the eventual winner (Tony Sandoval) run a faster time the the 1980 Olympic Champion. Fanelli would run 2:16.49 He would also receive national noteriety by running a record setting pace for the Boston Marathon (1981) for 16 miles (1:04.39 at 13.1) leading world class runners Bill Rodgers, Craig Virgin and winner Toshihiko Seko.

As a coach/athlete, Fanelli coached the 1988 American Samoa runners at the 1988 Olympics. He also became an Olympian by also competing for the American Samoa in the marathon, finishing 51st place in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul South Korea.

Friends of Bishop McDevitt posted the following in honor of Fanelli’s Olympic run:

Gary was a solid distance runner and had twice run at the US Olympic trials in the marathon. However, Fanelli was best known for running marathons in various outfits and costumes. He claimed world records for running the marathon while dressed as a ghost, a pirate, a teamster, a migrant farm worker, and Michael Jackson, and he also ran as a Blues Brother, a New York Met, and Chef Ronzoni.

The 10th annual induction ceremony is free and open to all.

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