You people arguing that we should be blaming the deceased for not being prepared, or not knowing that running the marathon was going to kill them are a black spot on this sport, not to mention hypocritical to the nth degree. It makes me sick to call myself a runner and be grouped with you.
Look- those of you are arguing that you go to races and see people around you who are fat, out of shape, should not be running a marathon, etc, and these people got what they deserved. The deceased from this race, not to mention Ryan Shay's death, were runners in decent shape. It could have been any one of us. I think one of the runners had already run something like 50 marathons. They were healthy. Have some respect for the dead. These were healthy people, who tragically died, unaware of a hidden time bomb ticking inside them. The autoposies were inconclusive. Lets face it, there is a horrifying chance that any one of us could go out for a run and drop dead without any prior warning. So quit blaming the victims here, and show a little humanity.
The levels to which this message board reaches hypocrisy is an alarming representation of humanity. Ryan Shay dies in Central Park, and an outpouring of grief comes through. Three local runners die, none of which apparently had the same cardiac issues that Ryan Shay knew he had, and you people jump at the chance to blame anyone you think might be slower than you for being so foolish to think that they can train and do something that you are so obviously better at doing. Better take a good look in the mirror next time you head out the door and pray you are as healthy as you think you are. My utmost respect for the deceased, and condolences for the families.