Photo above: Among local residents, Christopher Raabe (28) of Washington, DC placed highest in 16th (2:17:01). This photo shows him near mile 21, chased by Fasil Bizuneh (who finished 13th, 2:16:47).

Agony Accompanies Excitement of Fine Performances
From NYRR: Five-time USA champion and former NCAA champion for Notre Dame University Ryan Shay, 28, of Flagstaff, AZ, collapsed about 30 minutes into the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon after running the first 5.5 miles of the race. He was immediately given CPR and transported by ambulance to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:46 a.m. Read more

Northern Michigan, Land of Sweet Cherries and Ryan Shay
Jeff Peek covered Ryan Shay's funeral for the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Olympian Abdi Abdirahman, who met Shay in 1997 while the two were still in high school, said Shay "was like a brother."

Wife Alicia Shay read a passage from the Bible that she said Shay read on the morning of his final race. The passage, from the book of Ephesians, focused on gaining "strength through the Holy Spirit."

Central Lake High School athletic director Quinn Barry said Shay was a role model to students at Central Lake and always visited the school when he was in town. He said Shay's message was a simple one: "Set your mind and heart to be the best that you can be."

Ryan Shay often spoke about the "three Joes" who influenced his running career -- his father, Notre Dame coach Joe Piane and professional coach Joe Vigil (pronounced Vehill). All three spoke at the memorial.

Joe Shay said his son continuously read marathon biographies, looking for secrets that would help him gain an edge. After Ryan read a book about Steve Prefontaine, he told his father 'Finally, somebody who understands me'.

They Have Raced Here in Washington, DC
Top photo: On July 31, 1999, Jason Lehmkuhle (21) of Great Falls, VA won (15:02) the Marrow Foundation 3M 5K race in Washington, DC. Eight years later he represents Team USA Minnesota, and placed fifth (2:12:54) in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon.

Second photo: U.S. Olympian Dan Browne (center of photo) has raced the Army Ten Miler four times and won the race in 1997, 1998, and 2004. Here he guides 2008 U.S. Olympians Ryan Hall (in blue) and Dathan Ritzenhein (right) near mile 16. Meb Keflezighi and Abdi Abdirahman (to Ryan's right) are also working in the lead pack.

Third photo: 32-year-old West Point graduate Dan Browne finished sixth in 2:13:23. He has another opportunity to make the U.S. Olympic Team, in the 10,000m next July in Eugene, OR.

Christopher Raabe Auditions on the Big Stage
First photo: Christopher Raabe (far right) entered Central Park (near mile 2) with the second lead pack, shortly after sunrise. Brian Sell (third, 2:11:40) also started the race near the front of this group.

Second photo: Near mile 16, Raabe is on Mbarak Hussein's shoulder (he dropped out after 30K). Hussein and Raabe went through the first 30K with the same split times. Matthew Gonzales (left) ran a strong second half and finished 11th (2:16:14). Raabe's first half split was 1:06:56.

Third photo: It's the final 400m of the marathon, and Raabe has lowered his personal best by four minutes on a hilly course. Sports agent Douglas Eldridge e-mailed later that Chris Raabe delivered a break-out performance in spite of his inability to ingest any food or water after the second mile, due to nagging stomach issues which crept up between Times Square and the entrance to Central Park.

Fourth photo: It's uphill as the crowds cheer on the top twenty finishers, almost eight minutes after Ryan Hall charged to victory. Chris Raabe's race was a glimpse of a brilliant local athlete in a field described as the deepest, most talented group of American marathon men ever assembled for the Olympic Trials.

Jacob Frey Juggles Running and Law School
First photo: Jacob Frey (26, at right in photo) of Oakton, VA was the second local qualifier to cross the finish line, in 22nd place (2:18:19). He is seen here near mile 21 with John Mentzer, who placed 24th (2:18:23).
Frey finished twelth (49:38) among men in the 2006 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, and was named a 2006 RRCA Roads Scholar.

Second photo: Jacob Frey is about to pass Sergio Reyes, who placed 27th (2:18:31); Frey placed 22nd (2:18:19) with his blistering kick and also passed Joe Driscoll (23rd, 2:18:22) in the final 400m.

View Page Two with photos of Eric Post and Michael Wardian.

See the NYRR Official Web site for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon

The Running Network provided Coverage

Thank you to the New York Road Runners for providing course access and enabling our coverage of the event, including pre-race teleconferences.