Top distance runner Ryan Shay died Saturday in New York City, five miles into the U.S. Olympic Marathon trials. He was 28 years old. Shay was considered somewhat of a dark horse to make the 2008 Olympic team, but he had been a strong finisher in the past, including winning the 2003 U.S. marathon. Shay had been diagnosed in the past with an enlarged heart, sometimes considered an asset for endurance athletes, but had been cleared to compete. His wife has qualified to compete in the women’s track trials in early summer. His former training partner Ryan Hall finished the trials first and will dedicate his race at the Beijing Olympics to Shay. You can read more about Ryan’s life in this USA Today article.
