Runner Dies During Marathon Trials

NEW YORK -- Ryan Shay died during the U.S. men's Olympic marathon trials Saturday after collapsing about 5½ 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.

"My thoughts and prayers just go out to them and their family," said winner Ryan Hall, who is good friends with Alicia. "It's a sad thing."

Shay, who was born in Michigan and graduated from Notre Dame, qualified for the trials at the 2006 Twin Cities Marathon.

"We ask you to join us in extending our very deepest condolences to Alicia, to Ryan's family and the Notre Dame running community," Wittenberg said. "It's certainly not the way we expected any part of the race to go."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press