Runner dies in Olympic Marathon Trials

Sadly, fatalaties are not unheard of in marathon running, as the public was reminded after last month's Chicago Marathon. What's almost unheard of is a death of an elite runner, which is what happened this morning during the men's Olympic Marathon Trials in New York this morning.

From AP:

Michigan native Ryan Shay died during the U.S. men's Olympic marathon trials Saturday after collapsing about 5 1/2 miles into the race. He was 28.

The death was confirmed after the race by New York Road Runners president Mary Wittenberg. She said he was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital.

Shay of Flagstaff, Ariz., hit the ground near East 75th Street in Manhattan during the 26.2-mile qualifier for the Beijing Games.

Shay was a favorite going into the 2004 trials but was hampered by a hamstring strain and finished 23rd. He was third at this year's U.S. 25K championships. His wife, Alicia, also is a professional distance runner. They married in July.

Related post:

A participant's view of the cancelled Chicago Marathon: UPDATED

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