PUBLISHED 11/07/2007
LAST UPDATED 11/09/2007
Fred Finke, Chair, USATF Long Distance Running Division, USATF Board of Directors:
"I was watching the feed [during the Trials] from inside the Tavern on the Green and was sitting next to the USOC table and Craig Masback was sitting two tables over from me. We knew something was up around 8:15 a.m. One of the guys came over and said one of the runners went down at around the 5-mile mark and an ambulance had taken him off, but we did not know who it was. We did not think much of it until we went out to the finish line (I was on the jury of appeals) when Hall was about 10 minutes out. While I was standing there someone came up to me and notified me that the runner who had died was Ryan Shay.
"I checked with someone who would know, and he confirmed it. I was in shock. Going into help mode, I worked to make sure things went smoothly and the people who should have known, did. I was doing fine until the last person I called (Bill Roe, who was at his national NCAA qualifying meet in Washington). As I told him, I just broke down and cried could not stop. Bill and I had been with Ryan on many events, including other World XC championship, National marathon championships, etc. He ALWAYS was awesome, would sit down and talk, ask about the family, etc.
"Just the night before, I'd had dinner with Joe Vigil and Bob Larsen. Joe
looked on Ryan as a son.
"I was stunned. I'd known Ryan over 10 years. He was one of those guys who transcended the sport of running. I still remember in 1998 when he was on my team for the World XC championships in Morocco what a great kid he was. He was a Junior athlete and was our top finisher. He was great to all the guys on the team and had a personality that all of the guys enjoyed being around and we had a bunch of characters on the junior and senior team: Ryan, Gabe Jennings, Jorge Torres, Marc Davis, Teddy Mitchell, Bob Kennedy, Adam Goucher, Tim Hacker, Robert Gary, Pete Julian, Dan Browne, and that was just on the men's side. The women's side had Deena, Elva Dryer, Amy Rudolph, and Joan Nesbit to mention a few. It was in a tough country and the group grew real close. You can imagine how the bonds were formed and the impact that Ryan had on the people who were racing Saturday. He was the epitome of class."
Jack Daniels, PhD, coach, author "Daniels' Running Formula":
"We were given legs for a very good reason, and it is interesting that when we first learn to walk, we are encouraged to walk and run and play a lot. Then we start school and are constantly told to sit still and be quiet. Sometimes, running actually becomes punishment for not doing what we are told. Still, to some, running becomes very important and it even defines who we are, and as soon as we are let out of those stuffy classrooms, it's out the door to play or go for a run.
"Some people consider very serious runners as being a bit weird, but they are no weirder than are great composers or vocalists or the best scientists or poets. Some elite runners truly love to run, to train very hard and push their bodies to extremes. Interestingly, those who are very dedicated to whatever it is they do with great compassion, are also usually very wonderful people to know on a personal level. You don't have to limit your conversations with them to what they are best at, or even to a closely related subject, because they understand there are many things to be enjoyed in life.
"Ryan Shay was one of these people who loved to run and loved life in general, and I thank God for letting us share some very happy times together. Individuals like Ryan put real meaning into life, and they probably affect more people in a positive way than they ever imagine. I am sure Ryan realized that the journey in life is what is important and he had a great journey throughout his life. We will think of you often, Ryan, usually when we see a great workout or a gutsy race performance."
