My Son Ryan Shay

I run at ND now and I never ran on the same team as Shay, but he is a legend at ND. I hope that everyone on here knows that when Hall, Piane or one of his X-teammates say Shay worked harder than ANYONE, they mean exactly that. People still talk about him on the team and it is almost always in reference to his pounding or work ethic. One of the most popular stories on the team is one where Shay got hit by a car half way through a run and finished the run. I feel inspired by him today.

Shay family,

My heart goes out to you on this tragic day. I remember vividly watching Ryan at CLHS, cheering my heart out for him at all of our meets. Smiling smugly at State meets when people would comment that he went out too fast...and then watching him lap his competitors. He is a tremendous inspiration to many, myself included. Tomorrow my run is for him. Godspeed Ryan.

AG

It's a sad day for American distance running...I'm very sorry for your loss

"My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today."

- Richard Adams "Watership Down"

What a classy thing to do on such a tough day. My thoughts and the thoughts of all of my running friends are with your family.

God bless

RIP Ryan Shay.

I want to echo the sentiments of everyone on this thread. Ryan sounds like a truly amazing person and someone we all could learn from. I wish I would have had the chance to meet him. As they say in orthodox memorial services:

May his memory be eternal.

Let's hope the joy and light that Ryan brought to this world can live on through his competitors, friends, and humanity. God Bless. My heart and prayers go out.

My thoughts are with your family. What a devastating loss for the running community and the world, and particularly for all of you.

To Mr. Shay and all of Ryan's family and friends,

My deepest sympathies. Ryan will clearly be missed by many. I hope these thoughts from so many in the running community bring you some comfort.

he died in pursuit of a dream, this is all that we can hope for. That we may die doing what we love, what god has given us the strength to excell in.

Very, very sad

RIP

I have always looked up to Ryan as a dedicated, tough, hardworking guy. He inspires me to be the same in not just my running, but all aspects of my life. If I can put as much into my teaching as Ryan did into his own passions, I know I will do some good.

My thoughts are with your family.

Deepest condolences to family and friends. A sad and tragic loss RIP Ryan Shay

My deepest sympathies. A great runner and an even better person. You raised a wonderful son.

May God Bless You at this time.

May God Bless You at this time.

Mr Shay,

No parent should ever have to lose a child, and thank you for taking the time to start this thread during this very tough time for your family. It truly is amazing to read through the posts and to see how many people Ryan has inspired with his incredible work ethic. I know you must be very proud to read these thoughts.

I was so saddened to hear of your loss today, and shocked. It just seems so unbeleivable. Please know my condolences are with your whole family, and for Ryan's wife Alicia.

Take care.

ryan shay was the first professional runner i ever say in person. it was the 2003 new haven road race and i was a jr in high school doing the 5k. i was right at the finish to see ryan sailing to victory. since that moment that has been my idea of running excellence and ive been a ryan shay fan. he will be missed and my thoughts and prays are with the shay family

My deepest condolences go out to Ryan Shay's family and Alicia. I can not imagine the pain of losing a son or husband like that. I never knew the guy personally but I used to read up on his training and was always amazed at the amount of work he put in. I remember when he ran 28:26 for the 10000meters a few years back, and I was very happy for the guy at the time. For Ryan, I am going to do an extra 10 mile run as a rememberance.

God Bless Ryan.

I first heard of Ryan when he was a teen running in a Junior Olympic meet in Des Moines, and have followed his career with some interest since. I've always admired his tenacity and work ethic, and I am only writing now, late in the day, because I've literally been at a loss for words all day, My heart goes out to the Shay family and everyone close to them for their tragic loss.