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• Ryan Shay was an American runner who won numerous national and international long-distance running competitions throughout his collegiate and professional career. Shay died in 2007 after collapsing during trials for the U.S. 2008 Olympic Marathon team. Shortly after collapsing, he died of natural causes stemming from a pre-existing heart condition.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: May 4, 1979 in Ypsilanti, Michigan
  2. Attended Notre Dame
  3. Won an NCAA Championship in 2001, and the USA Marathon Championship in 2003WashingtonPost.com: Death Casts a Pall Over Trials (page 2) (November 3, 2007)
  4. Competed in the 2004 Summer OlympicsWashingtonPost.com: Death Casts a Pall Over Trials (page 2) (November 3, 2007)
  5. Participated in trials for the U.S. 2008 Olympic Marathon team
  6. Collapsed at the 5 1/2 mile mark of the 26 mile qualifying raceWashingtonPost.com: Death Casts a Pall Over Trials (page 1)] (November 3, 2007)
  7. Diagnosed at an early age with cardiac arrhythmia due to an enlarged heartWashingtonPost.com: Death Casts a Pall Over Trials (page 2) (November 3, 2007)
  8. Died: November 3, 2007 in New York City
  9. Age at time of death: 28
  10. Cause of death: Cardiac arrest
  11. Survived by his wife, Alicia Shay (née Craig), who is also a long-distance runner
  12. Close friends with runner Abdi Abdirahman, who will run the 2008 Olympic Marathon in memory of ShayNew York Times: Abdi Abdirahman Runs in Memory of His Best Friend (August 17, 2008)

• Long-Standing Heart Condition

  Shay was informed at an early age that he suffered from an enlarged heart.WashingtonPost.com: Death Casts a Pall Over Trials (page 2) (November 3, 2007) Because of his condition, Shay suffered from cardiac arrhythmia. Doctors speculated that he would eventually require a pacemaker.WashingtonPost.com: Death Casts a Pall Over Trials (page 2) (November 3, 2007)

• Running Legacy

  Shay died while participating in trials for the United States Marathon team that would compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics. To honor Shay's memory, his close friend and fellow marathon runner Abdi Abdirahman ran the event wearing a commemorative wristband which reads, "Ryan Shay. Believe in yourself."New York Times: Abdi Abdirahman Runs in Memory of His Best Friend (August 17, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Alicia Shay | Ryan Hall | New York City Marathon | New York City Marathon Video | Boston Marathon | Marathon Training | Marine Corps Marathon | Chicago Marathon Death | Erin Lahr

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