Ryan Shay 1979 – 2007

There are people that I know and then there are people that I only get to know through my photos. I have lost track of the number of games and events that I have shot over the last year, let alone the last five years. I often review so many shots of a single athlete, that I get the feeling that I know them.

Ryan Shay was such an athlete. During the 2006 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, I had my usual position, sitting backwards on the back of the lead motorcycle. It was a spectacular fall day, Ryan had a strong start to his race and as the pace pushed a bit and others fell away, Ryan was in the top three runners. Shoulder to shoulder for 5 miles, changing position from time to time, but together stride for stride. In every shot, Ryan was strong, proud, graceful, with a passion for being there. Neither the pace nor the competition had an impact. He was ultimately third on the day, with a great race.



For 2007 Ryan, like many others were running the Medtronic TC 10 mile as a tune up for yesterday’s Olympic Trials in New York. At the pre-race press conference I introduced myself to Ryan. It is always my pleasure to have an opportunity to meet the athletes.



I shot the start of the 2007 Medtronic TC 10 mile and then my son / Competitive Image partner, Jonathan took up Moto responsibilities. Ryan ran with grace and passion.







I was shocked and saddened to hear of Ryan’s collapse and death at the Olympic Trials. My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s family. It was truly my pleasure to have met Ryan.