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It's been nearly six months since Ryan Shay's tragic death at the USA Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon in New York's Central Park. Shay, 28, collapsed when his heart failed about five and one-half miles into the race, shocking all those who knew the wise-cracking and hard-working athlete who seemed invincible and so full of life. It was one of the biggest tragedies in U.S. athletics history, and cast a pall over what was otherwise a wonderful Trials.
The media long ago moved on to report other stories, but for Ryan's widow, Alicia, the pain of his death is as acute as the day it Ryan died last November 3rd. She now trains in Ryan's memory in Flagstaff, Ariz., hoping to make the USA Olympic Team in the 10,000m.
"Everything I do is in memory of Ryan," Alicia told ESPN's E:60 in a sensitive and moving segment which will air on Tuesday, April 29, at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN.
E:60 tells the story of how Ryan and Alicia first met, and takes the viewer through the terrible tragedy in New York, then to Alicia's present day training and personal struggles. In addition to a moving interview with Alicia, we hear from Shay's parents and coaches, including Joe Vigil. Ryan's life is appropriately celebrated, but the grief is inescapable, and E:60 does the kind of top-notch storytelling that is so rare on television these days. The show is not to be missed.
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