Ryan Shay Tragically Passes Away While Competing in Olympic Trials Marathon ‘07
Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 10:44 AM by Martin Kennedy
Section: News & Results, Marathons
Ryan Shay has tragically passed away, as confirmed by a devastated Mary Wittenberg (President/CEO of NYRR) who delivered the sad news in a post-race news conference. He had dropped out of the U.S. Olympic Trials men’s marathon at the five mile mark and had been taken to the emergency room. The cause of death has been reported as being heart-related. Further details are unknown at this time. Our hearts go out to his wife, Alicia, and his family, friends and teammates.
Shay’s trials qualifying time had been 2:14:58. His hometown was Central Lake. He competed for Saucony. He was the 2003 USA Marathon champion. He placed 22nd in ‘04 marathon trials. He had moved his training base from Mammoth Lakes, CA, to Flagstaff, AZ. He was 28 years old.
In the press conference, Wittenberg said:
“Right now the New York Road Runners’ focus is on Ryan’s loving and obviously devastated family. We would ask that everyone give them their space… It feels as though a piece of our hearts was ripped out… Forever there will be a cloud over what would otherwise be the greatest trials we’ve seen. We all know we’ve got three guys who will run extra inspired in Beijing. It’s heart-wrenching. These things happen, but they’re not supposed to happen at the height of an athlete’s life and career and on one of the biggest days of their career. There must be a reason for it all, but it’s certainly not clear to us right now.”
Although there is no confirmation that this event is related to an illness Shay had in 2006, the illness was brought up in a recent Runner’s World interview:
The year up to that point had been pretty much a disaster, with sports scientists at the USOC training camp in Chula Vista CA eventually telling him that he was suffering from Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, aka severe total-body fatigue. Shay took it easy for a month, began a modest training buildup in August, and then felt great during the Oct. 1 marathon. “That was quite a shock–an eye opener,” he says now. “It told me that maybe I used to push too hard.”
“It’s a big loss for the running community,” said 2004 women’s marathon Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor, who once trained with Shay. “It’s a day we should be celebrating. It has cast a pall. The distance running community is very close.”
Ryan Shay was a true champion and a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed.
Source for Deena Kastor quote: [Associated Press]
Related Stories:
- Ryan Shay Remembered with Bench Dedication in Central Park
- USATF Unveils Tougher Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifying Standards
- Ryan Hall: Post-Olympic Blog
- Ryan Hall’s Post-Olympic Video: Passion for the Run
- Ryan Hall: Olympic Memories
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 15)
Tags: beijing olympics, central park, live, live race coverage, loop course, marathon, marathon coverage, mensmarathontrials2007, new york, New York City, news, Olympic Trials, pro, pro athlete, pro runners, professional, professional athlete, results, running, ryan shay, summer Olympic trials, Team USA, u.s. olympic marathon trials, u.s. olympic mens marathon trials, U.S. Olympic Team, U.S. Olympic Team Trials Mens Marathon, u.s. Olympic team trials mens marathon, updates
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The Final Sprint
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s family. Ryan was an amazing athlete.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:23 amI can’t believe what I have just read. As a distance runner myself I am devastated at the news of Ryan’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s family.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:53 amSomething like this is truly humbling. Ryan Shay will be missed.
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:06 pm[…] The Final Sprint […]
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:07 pmMy prayers are with Ryan’s family and friends at this time. My heart hearts for their sudden loss.
November 4th, 2007 at 8:56 pmI ran this morning and i gave thanks for Ryan and his gifts that he shared with all of us. He will always be one of my heros. I prayed for his wife and family and and today i ran for Ryan.
November 4th, 2007 at 10:12 pmWe watched this young couple so in love flourish in their marriage & love for running & each other.
We praise God that sometime before Ryan’s death he prayed for Christ to come into his life therefore giving him eternal life. Because of his decision the comfort we have is that he is in heaven & those of us who have made that same commitment will one day see him again.
November 9th, 2008 at 7:40 pm