Stephan Shay follows steps of champion brother
By Francine King (Original article)
Stephan Shay finished 10th in his first Gate River Run on Saturday, spending most of the 9.3-mile race like the rest of the elite men’s field — following runaway winner Mo Trafeh.
But Shay, 24, was also following the footsteps of someone more important to him: his brother Ryan.
Ryan Shay, an elite American long-distance runner won the River Run in 2005 in a time of 43:52. He collapsed at the U.S. Olympic marathon trials in New York City in 2007 and died of a heart attack at the age of 28.
Ryan Shay, an elite American long-distance runner won the River Run in 2005 in a time of 43:52. He collapsed at the U.S. Olympic marathon trials in New York City in 2007 and died of a heart attack at the age of 28.
Ryan, who was six years older than Stephan, had been diagnosed with an enlarged heart as a teenager. Stephan, the youngest of eight siblings, said his entire family was evaluated after Ryan’s death and it appears the condition that enlarged Ryan’s heart and led to his heart attack was not genetic.
“Every time I run, whether it’s racing or going for a training run, I always think about [Ryan],” said Stephan, who finished Saturday’s race in 44 minutes, 54 seconds. “It helps me push it a little bit harder.” Stephan said he had to push fairly hard on Saturday to meet his goal of finishing in the top 10 in his first 15K race. He won $500 for his effort.
Charlie Serrano of Long Beach, Calif., also finished in 44:54, but crossed the finish line ahead of Shay.
CLICK HERE to see complete results from the 2010 Gate River Run
“To come in here the first time and win it, I didn’t completely rule it out, but I thought top 10 with this field would be good,” he said. “I felt bad the whole time, so I was able to salvage a decent race.” He finished nearly two minutes behind Trafeh, who won the U.S. 15K national championship in 42:58. Tim Nelson was second in 43:52, nearly a minute behind Trafeh.
CLICK HERE to see complete results from the 2010 Gate River Run
“To come in here the first time and win it, I didn’t completely rule it out, but I thought top 10 with this field would be good,” he said. “I felt bad the whole time, so I was able to salvage a decent race.” He finished nearly two minutes behind Trafeh, who won the U.S. 15K national championship in 42:58. Tim Nelson was second in 43:52, nearly a minute behind Trafeh.
VIDEO: See videos of the 2010 Gate River Run start line and interviews with the winners
Shay a native of East Jordan, Mich., said he typically runs longer distances. He plans to race the 25K national championship in May in Grand Rapids, Mich.
PHOTO GALLERY: Click here for photos from the 2010 Gate River Run
In January, he finished fifth in the Houston Half Marathon in a breakthrough performance that defied predictions of a 20th-place finish for the former Brigham Young University runner. His time also qualified him for the U.S. Olympic trials, which are scheduled for Jan. 14, 2012, in Houston.
Shay a native of East Jordan, Mich., said he typically runs longer distances. He plans to race the 25K national championship in May in Grand Rapids, Mich.
PHOTO GALLERY: Click here for photos from the 2010 Gate River Run
In January, he finished fifth in the Houston Half Marathon in a breakthrough performance that defied predictions of a 20th-place finish for the former Brigham Young University runner. His time also qualified him for the U.S. Olympic trials, which are scheduled for Jan. 14, 2012, in Houston.
If Shay qualifies for the Olympic team — which he admits is a long shot for 2012 in his first attempt — he would accomplish something Ryan had hoped to achieve but was never able to do.
francine.king@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4372