Marathoner's Cause of Death Determined

United States marathoner Ryan Shay passed away after collapsing during the Olympic marathon trials in New York City more than four months ago. Earlier today, a medical examiner released the report on Shay's cause of death.

According to the New York Times, the examiner determined that the 28-year-old died as a result of an irregular heartbeat, which was caused by an enlarged and scarred heart. Shay's father told the Times that they found out his son had an enlarged heart when Shay was 14, but that separate X-rays in subsequent years showed his condition improving.

Doctors don't know what caused the fibrosis scars on Shay's heart, which indicated past cardiac injuries. They do know that scar tissue wasn't good. As cardiologist Dr. Paul Thompson told the Times, the fibrotic tissue found in Shay's heart could have caused abnormal electric currents in the heart, which can lead to death. Fibrosis likely rules out the possibility of athlete's heart, or an enlarged heart created during training, as a cause of death.

The report is but a window into how Ryan Shay passed, and his journal regarding the years he spent training with Team Running USA can provide a small glimpse into how the young, Olympic-hopeful lived. But Shay's memory will be carried beyond his passing as well. As reported, Ryan Hall, the winner of the men's marathon trial on November 3rd, has said he will dedicate his Olympic race to Shay. Shay's wife Alicia Craig, a world-class runner in her own right, is currently training in hopes of making the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in the 10,000 meters.

--Jason Kerkmans