My Son Ryan Shay

Dear Mr. Shay and family,

Michigan people are very proud of their runners. Ryan Shay is one of those reasons.

I first saw Ryan run at Michigan International Speedway in the late 90’s on his way to another high school state cross country title and followed his career thereafter. It was great that a runner from a Class D school could even think about running for Notre Dame, let alone have the career he would have there and after.

The Trials this weekend were incredibly good and horribly sad for Michigan runners. I was out in Central Park cheering them on – all of them. I was probably in a bit of denial over what occurred Saturday, but things kicked in for me when I saw the many runners wearing black ribbons in Ryan's memory during the New York City Marathon on Sunday. Wow, those thousands of ribbons in New York City were for that tough kid from the little Michigan town who won’t be back to run again. It really hit home then. His life and career touched people far beyond our state.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Fred Vanhala

I lived with Ryan and Alicia in Flagstaff. I feel very blessed and honored to have known Ryan. He was indeed very intense and competitive. He was also very helpful and caring. Ryan and Alicia once spent an entire day in the ER with me. I have so many wonderful memories of Ryan (listening to country music, doing his drills thoroughly, arguing with customer service, greeting me when I came home, and sitting in front of the television with Alicia and his laptop).

Like everyone, I was shocked and very emotional on Saturday. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

I lived with Ryan and Alicia in Flagstaff. I feel very blessed and honored to have known Ryan. He was indeed very intense and competitive. He was also very helpful and caring. Ryan and Alicia once spent an entire day in the ER with me. I have so many wonderful memories of Ryan (listening to country music, doing his drills thoroughly, arguing with customer service, greeting me when I came home, and sitting in front of the television with Alicia and his laptop).

Like everyone, I was shocked and very emotional on Saturday. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

I lived with Ryan and Alicia in Flagstaff. I feel very blessed and honored to have known Ryan. He was indeed very intense and competitive. He was also very helpful and caring. Ryan and Alicia once spent an entire day in the ER with me. I have so many wonderful memories of Ryan (listening to country music, doing his drills thoroughly, arguing with customer service, greeting me when I came home, and sitting in front of the television with Alicia and his laptop).

Like everyone, I was shocked and very emotional on Saturday. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Thank you all very much for your support... I can not begin to think how Alicia, my family, and I would get through this incredibly hard time without it. As I reflect on Ryan's life, and the many unforgetable times we had shared, I realize I not only lost brother, but my hero as well. I find much comfort and honor reading the many messages people have written; showing that they too embraced the qualities and charisma so prevalent in the life he lived. I know that he will live on in my heart forever... along with so many others. He is in heaven now, and he got there doing the very thing he loved so much. Ryan poured his heart and soul into what he believed in. So, as you remember and reflect upon the beautiful life of my brother, remember to keep faith in the very things you believe in.

I will miss you until we reunite in heaven. I love you Ry!

II Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown (victory wreath) of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (presence)

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.

Ryan has won the ultimate prize

I am at a loss for words. I never met your son, but I know he was a good person. I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Again please accept my deepest condolences.

The coaching staff and runners of the Men's Cross Country and Track teams at George Mason University would like to express our sympathies to the family and friends of Ryan Shay. Although many of us do not know Ryan personally, his death deeply affects not only the runners on the team here at Mason, but the entire running community throughout America. Accounts of his hard work-ethic, courage, and generosity have been echoed on countless occasions here, over the past few days. The running community has lost an exemplary leader; one which we all should aspire to be. The members of the George Mason Cross Country team will wear black ribbons this weekend at the NCAA Southeast Regional meet, in remembrance of such a great person, runner, and leader, Ryan Shay.

I'm not an emotional person and I tend to have a hard time finding something to say when I hear that someone close to me had a friend or relative die. I'm often without a gut reaction, not out of callousness - its just how I'm wired.

That said - when I first heard reports of Ryan's death on Saturday my first reaction was "please don't let it me true..." I never met him, but somehow the news hit me as if I did, and I've spent some time thinking about why.

I've had a Steve Prefontaine poster in my office for some time. Its a picture of him looking behind him finishing on the track at Hayward field and it says "Where is the next Pre?" Looking at that clue me into why.

Part of the reason why Pre was such a larger than life figure was his pure gut and fearlessness; he was a guy who always put it out there. And so was Ryan. He was not someone I (or many of us) knew, but you got that impression from reading interviews with him and reading stories of those that knew him. He was someone many of us could admire based on his work ethic and toughness.

And he was taken from this world all to soon.

While I suppose he is one of the few "lucky" enough to die doing what he loves (how many of us will be able to say that?), its tragic that his end was so soon.

All the best to his whole family in a difficult time - especially Alicia. Stay strong - he's still with you.

To the entire Shay family,

I had the pleasure of knowing Ryan and training with him several years ago in California. He has always had a special place in my heart due to his tremendous character and strong will. Ryan has always been an inspiration to me and someone who I will continue to admire. I cannot even imagine the loss that you are all feeling, but know that everyone who had the chance to spend time with Ryan is blessed. He is an angel and we will all miss him.

Alicia, please stay strong during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

All my love,

Jeanne Hennessy

God's blessings and comfort on the Shay family and friends.

As a runner, I look up to and admire those with incredible talent such as Ryan. From what I've read about him, he was a great person and will be missed by so many. I will be thinking of and praying for you and your family during this difficult time.

On behalf of Team Meb and the Keflezighi family, we would like to share our deep condolences and sympathies to the Shay and Craig families. Ryan was a great friend and training partner of Meb. Ryan Shay was the type of person that stuck with his friends through thick and thin. When some people questioned how “American” Meb was, it was Ryan Shay who defended Meb better and more publicly than anyone else. The Keflezighi family has always admired Ryan Shay for his bravery, putting his All-American reputation on the line, to defend a fellow, albeit naturalized American. Ryan Shay should be remembered for the great and passionate athlete he was, but most of all, Ryan Shay was a friend in the truest sense of the word.

Team Meb and Keflezighi Family

Alicia and The Shay Familly,

It has been a hard week not only for you, but the entire running community and those of us who were close to Ryan. Our condolence to all of you at this hard times.

May his soul rest in peace.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Ryan. I met Alicia at the Footlocker Champs in Orlando her senior year while I was there representing Bell Lap Ministries.

My heart is broken over the loss of Ryan and my prayers are with Alicia and the rest of Ryan's family and friends.

There will be a wonderful reunion one day where all can run laps around a track of tartan gold.

Bless you all.

Pastor GW Dameron

To the Shay Family: I am deeply sorry about the loss of Ryan. Though I knew of him I never met him, but all of the messages here leave no doubt Ryan was a wonderful person as well as a wonderful runner. So many people will miss him, clearly.

To all of us who are left: We can honor the life of Ryan Shay by using every minute we have productively, in ways that do some good for the world. God knows the world needs some help. It's a good thing to train hard and run to the best of one's ability and then, after the workout is over, to put running aside and move on to other important things. It's a good thing to spend more time with one's family and less time self-absorbed in our own private worlds. It's a good thing to reach out to those less fortunate than ourselves. I will endeavor to be a better person because of Ryan Shay.

We have been very blessed to have amazing athletes living here in Flagstaff sharing their knowledge and love of running with our community. Our kids met Ryan and Alicia when they came to their high school running camp to share their love of running and experiences this past summer. It was a great treat for them and they talked excitedly about meeting them. It was obvious that both Ryan and Alicia made a connection with the kids and our community. We too are greatly saddened by your loss. Our prayers are with you as well.

Shay Family-

Reading all of these posts confirms what an amazing son, brother, and husband you had in Ryan. I am truly sorry for your loss and continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. The strength and support of the "running community" (many of whom do not know each other, yet connect for so many reasons) is incredible...something I feel lucky to be a part of. God bless you all.

Hawkeye

Joe, Sue, Alicia, and the whole Shay Family,

There are not enough words to express our sadness and sympathy to you in the sudden loss of Ryan. We never had the privilege of meeting Ryan but by all the posts and memories of him he was truly a wonderful person who touched the lives of many. My dad (Tom Kreuze)always spoke about "Ryan Shay, the great runner from Notre Dame" and how much of a big star he was. He will always be shining down on you and may you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have of Ryan. God Bless you all!

My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan's wife, family and friends. Ryan was my neighbor in Mammoth Lakes, and I feel blessed to have known him. He and Abdi encouraged me to run my first marathon and were fantastic cooks! I was always impressed by his dedication, good humor, and spirit.

I was devastated to hear the news of his death, and still can't believe he is gone. Rest in peace Ryan. You inspired me and I'm proud to have known you.

Monika Navarro