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.
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)
References
Fast Facts
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Born
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Attended Notre Dame
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Participated in trials for the U.S. 2008 Olympic Marathon team
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Died
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Age at time of death
28
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Cause of death
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Survived by his wife, Alicia Shay (née Craig), who is also a long-distance runner
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