A triumphant United States Olympic trials marathon turned tragic on Saturday morning when Ryan Shay, a 28-year-old veteran marathoner, collapsed during the race in Central Park and died at a hospital.
Ryan Shay collapsed and died during Saturday’s United States Olympic marathon trials in Manhattan.
Shay’s death was confirmed by Mary Wittenberg, president of the New York Road Runners. She said Shay had received immediate medical attention after he collapsed at the 5.5-mile mark of the race and was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:46 a.m. An official cause had not been announced.
The news dampened what was a spectacular day, a crisp morning that greeted the 7:35 a.m. start of the race that would determine the three Olympic spots for next year’s Olympics in Beijing. The weather was favorable for the race and Shay’s coach, Joe Vigil, said he had no health problems going into the race.
“It puts a knife through everybody’s heart,” Wittenberg said.
“Forever there will be a cloud over what would otherwise be the greatest trials we’ve seen. We all know we’ve got three guys who will run extra inspired in Beijing. It’s heart-wrenching. These things happen, but they’re not supposed to happen at the height of an athlete’s life and career and on one of the biggest days of their career. There must be a reason for it all, but it’s certainly not clear to us right now.”
Ryan Hall won the race in 2 hours 9 minutes 2 seconds, and found out shortly after the race that Shay, a good friend of his, had died.
Hall and the rest of the track community were saddened.
“We all are devastated over Ryan’s death,” said Craig Masback, chief executive of USA Track & Field. “He was a tremendous champion who was here today to pursue his dreams. The Olympic Trials is traditionally a day of celebration, but we are heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s wife, Alicia, and all of his family. His death is a tremendous loss for the sport and the long-distance running community.”
During the race, Hall made a move reminiscent of his quick rise in the sport over the past year, surging away from a talented pack in the 17th mile to take a commanding victory and grab one of three available Olympic berths. With his victory, he announced himself as a contender for a medal at next year’s Beijing Olympics.
Hall, a 25-year-old Stanford graduate who trains in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., finished eighth in the first marathon of his career, the London Marathon in April, and he set an American record in the half-marathon in Houston in January.
Dathan Ritzenhein, a 24-year-old up-and-comer, finished second in 2:11:07 and validated his status as a potential world-class marathoner. Ritzenhein, 24, made his marathon debut last year in the New York City Marathon, finishing 11th in 2:14:01.
Brian Sell, 29, finished third with a strong finish while other contenders fell back.
Two favorites, Meb Keflezighi and Abdi Abdirahman, failed to make the team. Abdirahman, 30, dropped out before 20 miles with a right leg injury. Keflezighi, who won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics, was in the lead pack until Hall made his move in the 17th mile and eventually dropped back and finished eighth.
Keflezighi’s medal in 2004 made him the first American man to medal in the marathon since Frank Shorter in 1976.
The lead pack of Keflezighi, Abdirahman, Hall, Ritzenhein and Fasil Bizuneh formed in the ninth mile, breaking away from the pack, running the eighth mile in 4:56 after the pack had run the seventh mile in 5:19.
A few minutes later, Dan Browne bridged the gap from the crowd to lead pack and Bizuneh dropped back. That lead pack stayed together until Mile 17, when Hall made a move to string out a lead.
The only serious chaser in that time was Khalid Khannouchi, who got as close as 14 seconds but could not make up the rest. Khannouchi was once the most promising American marathoner when he became a citizen in 2000, but injuries have kept him from making an Olympic team in his prime. Khannouchi finished fourth.
The five-man pack ran comfortably together until Hall’s move at Mile 17. Abdirahman dropped out, leaving the race for the Olympic spots to Hall, Ritzenhein, Browne and Keflezighi.
Hall left no doubt about his strength, running easily and looking strong alone in the lead. Ritzenhein fell about 27 seconds behind him but looked comfortable in second. Browne seemed strong in third, until he developed a cramp in the 19th mile and Sell began steadily making up ground.
Browne made the 2004 Olympic team in both the marathon and the 10,000 meters.
Sell passed Browne in the 20th mile and kept churning out the miles until the finish.
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