New York Local News

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Ryan Shay, a four-time national champion marathon runner, died during the U.S. men's Olympic marathon trials Saturday after collapsing about 5.5 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 on the Upper East Side and was pronounced dead at 8:46 a.m.

The tragic news sent shockwaves through the tight-knit running community, and stunned witnesses.

Sources tell CBS 2 HD that Shay suffered a heart attack about 30 minutes into the trials.

CBS 2 HD's Liz Hur spoke with Meb Keflezighi, Shay's training partner, after the tragedy. 

"Shay was a great guy...hardest working guy I ever met, Keflezighi said. "I was crying out loud at the finish line because that's when I knew." 

"I thought today would be his day," he added. "He trained very, very hard to make a breakthrough." 

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.

"I thought he was going to have a breakthrough race because he likes it when it's windy and tough conditions. That's him," Keflezighi said.   

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.

"We all are devastated over Ryan's death," USA Track and Field CEO Craig Masback said in a statement. "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."

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."

Added Ryan Hall, who won the trials and was friends with Shay: "My thoughts and prayers just go out to them and their family. It's a sad thing."

Witness Paul Giannobile was in disbelief when he saw the tragedy. "A runner was down and I saw it was Ryan."

"These are the fittest athletes in the world and when you see someone down and being administered CPR, I still can't fathom it," Giannobile added. "Definitely blue lips. It was awful. It was horrible."

A 2002 graduate of Notre Dame and a native of Michigan, Shay was the 2003 USA marathon champion, the 2003 and 2004 USA half-marathon champion and the 2004 USA 20 km champion. He won the 2001 NCAA 10,000m title, winning the first national individual title for Notre Dame, and was a nine-time All-American.

After college, he trained with Team USA California, a group that includes Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor and now includes 2008 Olympic Trials champion Ryan Hall. In 2003 he won the USARC racing series after winning national road running titles in the marathon and half marathon, and taking third at 5 km and 20 km.

The medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)