Mr Shay,
My prayers and thoughts are with your family at this time.
As a teammate of Ryan's, I was always in awe of his fiery passion for running, his mental toughness and his god-given abilities. While he was truly blessed as an athlete, his grit and will power are what made him a competitor and a champion. He lived his life running. He lived it the way that made him happy. We can only all hope to live such a life. He will be missed and he will forever be remembered.
Brian
I am so sorry. My thoughts are with you and your family, and Ryan's friends. Thank you for posting here.
Mr. Shay,
I am terribly sorry for your loss. I thought about him on my run today, and I give you my deepest condolences.
You are in my prayers.
I was on such a high after the race this morning. Went to work. Came home and found this devistating news. My condolences.
I coached at Greenhills during the late 90s and Ryan was winning everything in sight! All my runners thought Ryan was a man among boys even at a young age and his legend grew annually. Ryan loved cross country and a strong advocate. He was way too young, much like Pre to go on! In my heart, Ryan was indeed legendary!
I had to work this morning, and my friend was sending me updates via text messages. The moment I heard the news, my stomach was in knots, and tears were in my eyes as soon as I saw the news online. Your son has been a great inspiration to me in my running, despite how slow I am, and even though I did not know him personally, feel touched by him. Your family is in my thoughts, and he will be missed.
More prayers for you and your family!
Tears filled my eyes as I read the tributes to your well loved and talented son Mr.Shay. I echo the voices that lift you all in thought and prayer at such a difficult time. In some way running will be more meaningful from this day forth, because it, as well as life should never be taken for granted. These words of Paul the Apostle come to mind " I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith I have finished the race." Heaven is the ultimate finish line, may the Lord bless and keep you all.....
I'm so sorry about Ryan. My prayers are with you and your family.
my condolences and prayers go out to you and your family Mr. Shay.
I can say with certainty that Ryan will become an inspiration to many among this board, including me.
RIP Ryan
My thoughts and prayers are with you. So sad. Your son touched many lives and was a true inspiration to countless athletes and non-athletes. Even in this terrible time, you have so much to be proud of.
Scott from Montreal
I was with Ryan and his wife at the 25K Nationals-we all went to tour the course together...I am so sad to hear this news..I did not know him that well but always respected and admired his ferocity in races and how hard, I am sure, he trained. My deepest condolences to the Shay family.
Nate
'Per Ardua ad Astra' (through struggles, the stars)
- British Royal Air Force motto
my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
I never met Ryan, but his work ethic inspired me thousands of miles away. He was a true work-horse, a class-act, and the kind of guy most of us here would be proud to emulate.
My condolences...
I do not know you or your son, but I read many running stories and races about him. He truly was a great and couragious runner. He was at a starting line that most runners dream of. My kids are little and I explained to them what had happened. They also wanted me to tell you that your son is in our thoughts tonight and in the future.
I wish the best to your family in the future. From my family to yours.
From the Gleason Family Auburn,NY
We feel so much for you as parents, it must be the worst of nightmares to lose your child on perhaps their greatest of moments of accomplishment. Mr. Shay, our deepest sympathy pours out to you and your family. Your son will always be remembered by our running community. I very nearly lost my daughter a year ago to over hydration (actually lack of salt). She passed out and struck her head on the granite tile in our kitchen - thank God for the EMT's We are so fortunate for the time we have with our children, your son definitely used his time well and is in all of our thoughts and prayers. God bless you and your family.
Mr Shay,
May god bless you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
First time I saw Ryan, I was a freshman in college. He led the entire regional meet only to be out kicked but a slightly better runner, but he did all the work. That's what I always loved about him. He knew he would be better off to let someone else do a little leading, but he was too stubborn. I remember a quote from him sometime back. It went something like "If there is work to be done, I am the one who is going to do it." Ryan was a man who lived and raced without fear, I will always remember him for that. My condolences go to his wife, family, and friends.
Its been an eerie and incredible rollercoaster day of deep joy and deep utter sadness. I am a man who get accused of showing no emotion and today I am broken.
I hope heaven isn't a place where people rest in peace. Watching Ryan Hall today made me say to myself, that is what I want my heaven to be. I want to be running and gliding effortlessly through eternity. I envision that for Ryan Shay. Godspeed Ryan Shay!