Ryan Shay Mile

Race Day: Saturday, July 26th - 2025, Charlevoix, Michigan

Time: 10:30 AM downtown Charlevoix

This exciting elite event is in its 16th year and is already a destination for many top distance runners. Runners from around the country are invited to compete for $10,000 in prize money from. The course records are 3:53 for men (Ben Flanagan) and 4:20 for the women (Shannon Osika).


The course is straight, flat, fast, and certified(USATF Course Certification: MI24011MN). Thousands of spectators line the course from approximately the half mile mark to the finish. Invited runners will be provided housing and possibly travel money.


The title sponsor for the race is Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital.


Prize money for both men and women:


With a $250 prime bonus for the clear leader at the half mile mark sponsored by Borchers Canoe & Kayak in Grayling, Michigan.

Entry Information

Race Information:

Contact:

Course Map

Results/Course Records/Media

Course Records:

Results:

Ryan Shay

Ryan Shay attended Central Lake High School in Central Lake, Michigan from 1993 to 1997 He was a four time Class D state champion in cross country. He was a three-time consecutive Class D state champion in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs from his sophomore through senior track seasons (1995 through 1997), and also won the Class-D state title in the 800-meter run as a sophomore.

Shay continued running as a student-athlete at the University of Notre Dame in the fall of 1997, majoring in economics and competing in both cross country and track. He was a 9-time All-American while competing at Notre Dame. Shay was the first Notre Dame runner to win an NCAA individual title, winning the 10,000-meter run at the 2001 NCAA outdoor meet in a time of 29:05.44. Shay graduated as the school record holder in both the indoor and outdoor 5,000-meter runs, as well as the 10,000-meter run. He graduated in the top of his class.

Following college, Shay ran professionally, winning races at various distances, including the marathon, half-marathon, 20 km and 15 km. He was also the 2003 USATF half-marathon, and marathon champion. Shay finished in 23rd place in the 2004 Men's Olympic Marathon Trials. 

On November 3rd, during the US Olympic marathon trials in New York City, Shay collapsed approximately 5 1/2 miles into the race and was pronounced dead soon after. Public Affairs of the New York Chief Medical Examiner's Office released the following statement to Joe Shay, Ryan's father, regarding his final autopsy results: "Cardiac arrhythmia due to cardiac hypertrophy with patchy fibrosis of undetermined etiology. Natural causes."

Ryan was and is a role model for many young people in Northern Michigan and around the country. 


Article on Ryan's legacy from Letsrun.