My Son Ryan Shay

I had the good fortune to see Ryan's championship run in the 10k in Eugene. After such a gutsy performance, I have followed Ryan's career since. I was shocked and saddened by yesterday's news. I have the greatest admiration for Ryan -- he was an incredibly tough runner and an inspiration to watch. My thoughts are with Alicia and the Shay family.

Mr. Shay,

I'm without words. And it's just something that can't be understood. I just want to offer my deepest sympathies. Ryan has been a competitor of mine for the longest time, and I've always admired him and his ability to work, to push himself to the fullest possible limit. He is someone to be admired and remembered.

Justin Young

To Shay Family,

I wish you my deepest condolences on your loss.

I new Ryan as a team mate at Notre Dame. I did not know him long or well as our paths crossed for only one year, but he has left a lasting impression on me and I know many others. The heart, determination and grit that he possessed are simply unattainable by most of us. I know the Notre Dame running family has a collectively heavy heart for you and your family today. God Bless.

Mr. Shay, Alicia and the Shay family,

My most sincere condolences for your loss.

I feel privileged to have had the honor of calling Ryan a teammate and friend. At Notre Dame, he was a role model to each of us and the passion with which he led his life is truly inspiring.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Rest in peace Ryan.

Tim

Dear Mr.Shay and family. My deepest sympathies. Your son will never be forgotten. Ryan always made the tempo sweet.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mr. Shay, Alicia and the Shay family,

My most sincere condolences for your loss.

I feel privileged to have had the honor of calling Ryan a teammate and friend. At Notre Dame, he was a role model to each of us and the passion with which he led his life is truly inspiring.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Rest in peace Ryan.

Tim

I knew Ryan as a team mate at Notre Dame. I did not know him long or well as our paths crossed for only one year, but he has left a lasting impression on me and I know many others. The heart, determination and grit that he possessed are simply unattainable by most of us. I know the Notre Dame running family has a collectively heavy heart for you and your family today. God Bless.

Mr. Shay, Alicia and the Shay family,

My deepest condolences for your loss.

I feel privileged to have had the honor of calling Ryan a teammate and friend. At Notre Dame, he was a role model to each of us and the passion with which he led his life is truly inspiring.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Ryan, rest in peace.

Tim

I'm glad to see a thread like this. Today was our long run (Washington HS) and it was unusually quiet. I usually run in the back and just listen to the guys discuss the previous day's race or their adventures the previous Saturday night or what girls they tried to talk to, but this morning I thought a lot about what happened yesterday. I never met Ryan Shay - only what I read about him - but he striked me as a runner who strove to be the epitome of hard work, toughness, and at the same time, a genuinely down-to-earth, nice guy. A couple of us ended up running 14 this morning around the streets of Pensacola, talking about the marathon distance, how it is to be respected, and the myriad of things that could go wrong. I also thought about another similar tragedy from earlier in the week in my distant running family. News of both will re-shapen my outlook and motivation to keep running.

My heart just cries out for Ryan Shay, his family, and the sport in general when a tragedy like this strikes. It should make all of us realize our "gift" and be thankful for every step we run and are capable of running beyond our limits. Running is a perfect time for reflection and we should take a moment in our runs this week to remember greats like Ryan Shay that have fallen too soon before their time. I know that will think about the families of both tragedies this week every morning when I lace up and do my morning run.

i only met ryan once and he made me laugh so much, he was hagling for a wooden elephant in kenya after the world x. r.i.p.

My sincerest condolences on your lost.

My prayers are with you and your family.

We will run to honor him.

NWO Ohio

My story on meeting ryan shay:

I am from michigan and had a chacne to race the usa 25k nationals a few years ago. I was given an elite entry even though I am nowhere near as fast as those that lead the race. I was standing near, but not on the front of the start when I was pushed down onto the ground by some guy who said, "get this kid outta here." I am 5,'3" and look much like a kid but was 20 years old at the time. Shay helped me back onto my feet and removed the guy from my spot saying, "he's got an elite tag, he has every right to be here just as we do."

I thanked him quietly and was amazed at him taking this action even right before a race when his mind was probably hoping to be focused on the race. I remember wanting him to kick everyone's ass that day and win.

Shay will always be a hero in my heart and mind.

Run in peace Ryan, and Thank You

Kevin C

We will run to honor him.

NWO Ohio

I'm sorry for your loss. We lost a wonderful human being, but his memories will live on, always. My blessings and thoughts to you and your family.

To the Shays,

I've only met Ryan once, in the fall of 2005 at Cross Country Nationals in Terre Haute, IN. I had driven halfway across the country with some teammates to watch our team compete and by chance we were staying in the same hotel as Ryan and some of his ND buddies. Our groups hung out in the hotel for a bit, and I, a walk-on freshman, was incredulous that Ryan, an NCAA champion, was taking the time to talk to me about training, the next days race, his training with Meb, etc.

Our encounter was short, but I wanted to let you know that Ryan really made me feel special that day.

AH

8 miles

All for ryan

To the Shays,

I've only met Ryan once, in the fall of 2005 at Cross Country Nationals in Terre Haute, IN. I had driven halfway across the country with some teammates to watch our team compete and by chance we were staying in the same hotel as Ryan and some of his ND buddies. Our groups hung out in the hotel for a bit, and I, a walk-on freshman, was incredulous that Ryan, an NCAA champion, was taking the time to talk to me about training, the next days race, his training with Meb, etc.

Our encounter was short, but I wanted to let you know that Ryan really made me feel special that day.

AH