My Son Ryan Shay

I am so sorry to hear the news of Ryan's passing. May Alicia, Ryan's parents and all of his friends and family in time learn to remember Ryan's life as a celebration. I am so sorry.

May God comfort you.

Of all the people I raced regularly in college, Ryan was by far the classiest of them all. Truly a hard loss for the running community, and his family. My heart goes out to you. Know that Ryan will be missed sorely, and not be forgotten.

Mr. Shay and family,

I don't know if you remember me or not but I used to idolize Ryan. I remember watching him run around Central Lake like it was nothing. I ran track for Bellaire and I used to watch him run thinking it would help me when I ran, but he had a love for running that was something you couldn't copy. I am so sorry to hear about what happened to him and he will be greatly missed by so many. You have something to be so proud of. He was the nicest person ever and you raised him well you have some much to be thankful for. Ryan opened the door to so many people.

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

This is just sad. Really, really sad.

To Ryan Shay and his family,

I'm going to miss you my friend. You're a champion and good friend and it won't be the same out there without you. I pray that God will comfort your family during this tough time.

Dan Browne

Heard about it on ESPN this morning. What an amazing talent and what a tragic loss.

Prayers to his family.

i was stunned when i heard the news of ryan's passing. my deepest sympathies go out to the entire shay family. may god comfort you.

blessings

The whole Saucony family wishes to extend our deepest condolences to Alicia, the Ryan Family and the whole running community in mourning the loss of Ryan....He was an inspiration to all of us when he came in to talk about shoes, life and his passion of running...he was a great competitor with an incredible desire and willingness to compete and work at the highest and toughest level of sport. We will miss him, but certainly never forget him. He made a difference.

Mr. Shay,

I had trained with Ryan and Alicia in Mammoth Lakes. Your son was such a role model to all of us up there. He was such a great person and always kept us laughing with his jokes. We all loved him and loved to be around him. Him and Alicia were such an amazing couple and I just wanted you to know that you, your family and Alicia will be in my prayers.

Your son was one of the greatest individuals I've ever met. It was an honor to have run with him, to have experienced the energy and fire that drove him, and to have been his teammate.

Ryan passed far too young, but I know - as anyone who spent even a moment in his presence knows - that there was not a wasted second in his life.

This out-pouring of love - from all the people his life touched - is a testament to the man he was, the way he lived and the family that raised him.

Thank you, Ryan...You will be missed by so many.

God Bless,

Nick

My heart goes out to your family and Alicia. I was devastated when I heard about Ryan yesterday. My boyfriend was running the trials yesterday and it hit very close to home. Tears came trying to imagine how your family and Alicia must feel.

I felt at peace knowing you guys could take comfort in your faith. I pray that God will help you to see his plan and give you strength during this time.

you are in all of our thoughts and prayers. rest in peace ryan shay.

What a tragic loss for you and your family. I hope the heart-felt words of so many who knew, ran, and lived with Ryan can be of some solace. Peace to you, sir.

I think of myself as a tough SOB! Today I cried!

rest in peace

My team just won a state championship yesterday and I am setting here at my computer crying! Ryan was a pleasure to watch over the years at USATF meets! We won't forget you!!!!! Our heartfelt sympathies to Alicia and his family.

Shay's you are in all of our thoughts and prayers. This is a heavy blow to the running community. When I was a high school and college athlete Ryan was an inspiration and a guy who really embodied the work ethic that it takes to be a great runner and human being.

Brett Harvey

Head Track Coach

Loyola College in Maryland

We are all so very sorry, Joe. God bless you and your family.

Heather + Darren Skuja

Alicia and Joe: our thoughts and prayers are with you. As evidenced by the length of this thread, Ryan will be remembered and missed. If a fund is set up in Ryan's name please let us letsrunners know. We'd like to support it.

Our prayers are with you.