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Autopsy: Enlarged Heart, Natural Causes Led to Tragic Death of Runner Ryan Shay

Posted March 18th, 2008 at 5:07 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, TFS News Briefs, Trail / Ultra

The following information was just released to the media and general public regarding the cause of death for Ryan Shay, 28, the U.S. distance runner who tragically collapsed and died during the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials on November 3, 2007:

“Cardiac arrhythmia due to cardiac hypertrophy with patchy fibrosis of undetermined etiology. Natural Causes.”

The release was made by Ellen Borakova, the Director of Public Affairs of the New York Chief Medical Examiner. The full report of findings from the official autopsy will be made available exclusively to Shay’s family.

Ryan’s father, Joe Shay, told the The New York Times that all of the toxicology reports came back negative and that the family would make a statement later in the day to address the report’s findings.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Alicia and the entire Shay family. May Ryan’s memory, kind soul, and endearing spirit live on forever in our hearts.