My Son Ryan Shay

A father weeps for his son - hopefully our condolences and prayers for all of you can provide some small relief from the pain. God bless!

The first college meet I ever went to was the 2001 Notre Dame Invitational. I can't ever forget seeing those Notre Dame guys dominate. Watson, Mobley, Shay. Seeing Ryan and those guys run really sparked my love for this sport as a spectator and runner.

I was stunned to hear the news. My deepest sympathies to you, your family, and Alicia.

My husband, Justin, and I are very saddened by this terrible loss. Our sympathies go out to you all. Justin ran against Ryan in High School, college and on the roads, and I know he will miss him terribly.

I got home from my run today excited to watch the trials, turned on my TV and saw a picture of Ryan Shea 1978-2007 on the screen. I was so gutted I turned it off and went to play with my daughter for the rest of the afternoon. I don't much feel like watching the race anymore.

I hope the trails in heaven are soft.

RIP

How wonderful that this site can provide comfort to a father suffering what no father ever should; provide a platform so he can know how highly regarded his son was; know how much he was both respected and loved.

And when you see a man take the time, at such a time, to say "thanks" for all this, then it is no surprise to see what his son became.

May God bless you, Joe. And may a deep awareness of His loving compassion be especially close to poor Alicia this day.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I was at the Michigan State meet today and as the news of Ryan's death spread through the media, coaches, fans, officials, and participants, there was shock, disbelief and sadness. The Shay family is a huge, huge part of our past and present running scene. Mr. Shay, I understand, was here earlier today and left immediately for New York.

I enjoyed the one time I met the spirited man that Ryan was, knew Alicia when she was in high school, and I've enjoyed knowing his father in the past year. I pray that all of you can find strength through family, friends and our running community to get through this difficult time.

i'm shocked.

i heard great things of Ryan from a good friend of mine and I send my condolences to his family.

RIP Ryan Shay

Man, it's really a bummer to hear about that, what a tragedy at an otherwise great event. I didn't follow Shay a lot, but the news is nevertheless really saddening. It's interesting, I was reading the SI article about Alberto Salazar and his heart attack yesterday, I guess things like that happen to anybody.

What a tragic loss! We are thinking of you and your family! The entire running community has lost one of the Good Guys!

Rest in peace and God bless Ryan Shay. You will live on in my memory forever. Indeed we have shared memorable moments....Mr. Shay, Alicia and family,

I was on the World Marathon Team with Ryan in Paris 2003. I want to say the running world, even in my hometown of Syracuse is stunned silent and in shock.

I personally am hurt and confused, but I want to express my deepest sympathy to Mr. Shay, Alicia, and family.

Ryan lives on in my memory in many ways during my own career. Foremost in my mind is when we dueled to the 24 mile mark of the U.S. Marathon Championships and I recall being in awe that I was even in the company of Ryan as I was having the race of my life.

I watch the complete tape from the press truck now and then and my favorite part is the finish line where Ryan demonstrates incredible sportmanship, wrenching himself from the awaiting media to celebrate his win to see me finish where congratulated me with a hug. I hardly knew him, but he knew it was my moment and he wanted to share it with me.

I layed beside him on an adjacent massage table and I still remember his beaming smile. He knocked knuckles with me. He was U.S. champion and I was joining him in Paris. We were shaking from the effort, exhausted and sooo happy in the moment.

I have written memoirs of Paris which includes a good segment on Ryan I'd like to share with you at a better time. We did a training run together in which we ran through the streets of Paris all the way up to the Arch of Triumph and on to the Eiffel Tower from the Athlete's Village.

These memories will live on in my memory and my own scrapbooks for my lifetime.

Please be at peace, and God Bless Ryan Shay.

- Kevin Collins

Our prayers are with you, your family, and Ryan. RIP Ryan. I hope you are up there running the great marathon in the sky, flying along at sub-5:00 pace riding on the wings of angels, for thousands and thousands of miles to come.

My heart goes out to Mr. Shay and the rest of Ryan's family. I am a young father of two and I can't imagine seeing one of kids pass on. I couldn't stop cry(ng as I read these posts. I hope my sons can grow up to be men like Ryan Shay.

God Bless.

My wife and I were out for her final pre-Philly long run this morning, and when we got back the first thing I did was check Letsrun to see what happened in the trials marathon. I was floored and deeply saddened to read of this tragedy. If one could possibly look at this from a positive perspective, he passed on doing what he loved. I hope that's how I go eventually. Clearly Ryan passed too soon, but I hope it was with a bit of runner's high.

My deepest sympathies to Joe, Alicia his new wife, and the rest of Ryan's family.

As a dad myself, you should be extremely proud of your son. Any father would be proud to have a son like Ryan. From the outpouring of sympathy, its clear he was a special person.

RIP Ryan.

Our prayers and sympathies go out to you and your family.

My prays are with you and your family, may God comfort you during this time.

Mr. Shay,

I met your son at the 2003 Marathon Championships and was very impressed with his great attitude and work ethic. He has been an inspiration to me and so many runners throughout the country. I am so sorry for your loss.

He will live in our hearts forever.

Sir,

I don't think I can even imagine how difficult this must for you. I am so sorry for your loss.

Ryan is in my prayers.

I help coach the junior high cross country team at the parish I work at, and at some point I will take the opportunity to tell the kids on the team about Ryan and have them pray for him as well.

God bless,

Father Ryan Larson

Sts. Peter and Paul

Naperville, IL