Early middle-distance races 1984

"Fanelli Wins Sri Chinmoy 5-Miler" (Press Release). Retrieved September 30, 2012. Archive copy at the Sri Chinmoy Marathon office, Queens, New York.

"Visiting marathoner Gary Fanelli, who recently ran an impressive 2:18:53 in the hot and humid Olympic Trials, ran 24:24 to set a new race record by 29 seconds in the Sri Chinmoy 5-Mile Run, held Sunday, July 8 in Flushing Meadow Park. Gary then conducted an informal running clinic for the runners following the awards ceremony.

This New York visit was made in the midst of a busy training schedule as Gary prepares for the New York Boilermaker in Utica, NY and a series of races in Italy towards the end of the summer.

Only two seconds off the previous race record of 24:53 in a PR of 24:55 was a second place Virendra Gauthier, winner of the Breezy Point 4-Miler two weeks earlier. Virendra runs for the Sri Chinmoy Team. Third was Westside Y's Placido Cruz-Martin in 25:13 and fourth was last year's winner of this event, Art Seniro of Prospect Park TC, running 25:18. Nursing an injured hamstring was seventh place Remulus Della Valle, owner of the previous race record. Remulus clocked 26:24.

First woman in a hard won 31:37 was Helen Hiser of new York, leading Rochdale Runners' Michelle Nero by 15 seconds. First lady vet was Nandita Polissar of the Sri Chinmoy Team in 36:17.

Runners enjoyed lovely 57 degree weather under sunny skies after a week of rain and wind..."

"Sri Chinmoy 5-Mile Run, Greenwich, CT" (Press Release). March 18, 1984. Retrieved 2012-09-30. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Master of Ceremonies Gary Fanelli highlighted the awards ceremony of the March 18th Sri Chinmoy 5-Mile Run (Greenwich, CT) by conducting a group of running cohorts in a song tribute to Sri Chinmoy's 20th anniversary in the West. Fanelli, with characteristic good-will, composed the song himself to honor the running guru for his contributions to humanity during his two decades in America. The lyrics ran, 'Sri Chinmoy, we honor you today. Peace is your goal. Love is your goal. And you have made our lives whole.'

Fanelli, who is steadily recovering from a recent foot surgery, finished the 5-miler just three seconds off the previous course record of 25:03. Top honors went to John McNulty of Tarrytown, NY (24:35) and Bob Murdock of Greenwich (24:38). Taking first woman was Marina Giusti of Ardsley, NY in 31:34.

Among those receiving awards from Fanelli were running author Jim Fixx who placed third master in 34:57 and Gary's sister Mary Fanelli-Lund who took second woman in 31:46.

Following the race, runners gathered inside the Old Greenwich High School to enjoy a gourmet breakfast of spiced oatmeal, homemade breads and fruit catered by 'Love and Serve' vegetarian restaurant in Greenwich."

Millinder, Lucius. "John McNulty out-duals Murdock for win in Greenwich 5 Miler. Marina Giusti sweeps women's field." New York Tribune. New York. March 19, 1984.

"On a balmy breezy day highlighted by an unusual visit from Philadelphia native, Gary Fanelli, noted for his Blue's Brother imitation during the NYC Marathon, the Sri Chinmoy running club did what seems to have become synonymous with this organization - they successfully staged two separate events at different places within the tri-state area.

Greenwich, CT, was the site of an exciting duel between hometown favorite, Bob Murdock and Terrytown resident, John McNulty...

Closer to home, two Brooklynites successfully completed a coup in the Sri Chinmoy 2-Mile Series, run every weekend out of Prospect Park."