Brett Meyer (3:58.18) And Anna Shields (4:30.74) Win The 12th Annual Ryan Shay Mile In Charlevoix, Michigan

Press Release
Juy 27, 2019

Charlevoix, MI — The 12th annual Ryan Shay Mile took place this morning in Charlevoix, Michigan under warm and windy conditions. This invitational road mile had separate races for men and women. There was $4000 in prize money available ($1000.00 1st place, $500.00 2nd, $250.00 3rd) with the title sponsor being Bergmann Marine.

Anna Shields made the Ryan Shay Mile her first win in the professional ranks by taking the lead early and never relinquishing it. Through the first quarter mile in 65 seconds, Shields kept going to claim the bonus for leader at the half with a split of 2:11. Jaimie Phelan-Calderon and Maddie Alm could not keep pace as Shield pressed her advantage down the hill at the three quarter mark. Shields held her lead in the home stretch and finished in 4:30 while Alm and Phelan-Calderon pushed each other to the finish with Alm claiming second place and Phelan-Calderon third both with a mark of 4:37.

From Anna Shields: “Knowing that there was a downhill right at 1200m in, my strategy was to go really hard to that point and hope that even if I was exhausted the hill would carry me in. I didn’t feel carried though! It was tough gritting it out the last 200m, but hitting the tape felt so good. I’m glad I committed to pushing hard and running confidently early in the race. Having the crowd and the parade made this race so special. I’m grateful to have been invited and to have had the honor to run in Ryan Shay’s memory.”

The men’s race changed leads several times before Brett Meyer took his turn at the lead in the last fifty yards to claim his first professional win as well at the Shay Mile. Early on the eight competitors ran in a pack as they went through the first quarter mile at four minute pace. Morsi Rayyan was the first to press to the front of the pack, leading them through the half mile still on four minute pace and claimed the leader at the half bonus. Woui Mach then made his move in the third quarter leading the pack into the downhill portion of the course. The downhill is where it became a three man race between Craig Huffer, Mach, and Meyer. Huffer pressed to the lead with Meyer moving to his shoulder and Mach falling off slightly. It was only in the closing of the race that Meyer took the lead that ended with him winning in 3:58. Huffer did not concede too much ground in the closing as he finished with a time of 3:58 as well. Mach finished a close third in 3:59.

From Brett Meyer: “We started the race and next thing I knew I was sprinting down the hill which propelled me to a very fast sprint finish. I was very happy with the outcome, this was my first road mile and the best experience I’ve had while racing as a pro. The atmosphere was phenomenal, once I got down the hill I knew I had to start kicking to catch the top two runners. The last 200m was the easiest with the help of all the fans cheering. First road mile. First professional win. Best honeymoon ever.”

The Ryan Shay Mile started in the summer of 2008 to honor the memory of Ryan Shay. Ryan passed away on November 3, 2007 while competing in the 2008 USA Olympic Marathon Trials in New York City. Ryan was from Central Lake, Michigan, about thirty minutes south of Charlevoix. A talented runner, who through hard work and persistence, won championships in high school, while in college in Notre Dame, and as a professional. Ryan continues to be a role model for many young people in Northern Michigan and around the country.

Bergmann Marine, located in Charlevoix, Michigan, provides marine sales, service and storage facilities. This family owned and operated business spans three generations and has been providing service to Northern Michigan for more than twenty five years.

This event is held as part of Charlevoix’s annual Venetian Festival, and in conjunction with the Drenth Memorial 5k/10k road races on the same Saturday morning. Charlevoix is located in the upper northwestern portion of the lower Michigan peninsula.

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Links to results:

Women – results: https://www.newtontiming.com/results/19/ryanshay/women.html

1. Anna Shields – 4:30.74
2. Maddie Alm – 4:37.43
3. Jaimie Phelan-Calderon – 4:37.62
4. Dot McMahan – 4:44.34
5. Megan O’Neil – 4:48.57

Men – results: https://www.newtontiming.com/results/19/ryanshay/men.html

1. Brett Meyer – 3:58.18
2. Craig Huffer – 3:58.58
3. Woui Mach – 3:59.21
4. Louis Falland – 4:01.58
5. Morsi Rayyan – 4:03.18
6. Sam Penzenstadler – 4:08.76
7. Bryce Richards – 4:12.88
8. Zacchaeus Widner – 4:23..43

Local Coverage: https://www.petoskeynews.com/sports/myer-shields-claim-ryan-shay-mile-titles/article_4db8b812-877c-5c04-954d-ddd6f62fb45b.html