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Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, and Brian Sell at the 2007 Olympic Team Trials

Hall broke away from the five runners leading the pack. Hall then continued to run sub-five minute splits for the rest of the race.

Dathan Ritzenhein finished comfortably in second in 2:11:07, a personal best by over three minutes.

Brian Sell placed third in 2:11:40 to grab the final qualifying spot for Beijing. It is the first Olympics for all three.

Their joy was replaced with sadness when Ryan Shay, a four-time national champion on the roads, died shortly past the 5-mile mark of the race.

Shay collapsed and was immediately given CPR. An ambulance transported him to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:46 a.m.

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.

Statement from United States Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr

“The United States Olympic Committee offers its deepest condolences to Ryan Shay’s family, his many friends, and the entire USA Track and Field community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been touched by this sudden and tragic loss.”

For a bio of Ryan Shay, visit http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/oldBios/2006/Shay_Ryan.asp

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For more details please also see this article: http://universalsports.nbcsports.com/articles/show/27230?sport_id=34