American distance runner Ryan Shay, a former national champion and contender to represent the United States in Beijing next year, died on Saturday after collapsing during the Olympic marathon qualifying trials in Central Park, CNN reported.
Shay, 28, was about 5 1/2 miles into the race and running south near the park's boathouse when he collapsed, officials said.
He was quickly aided by other runners and bystanders and was given CPR, then rushed by ambulance to nearby Lenox Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:46 a.m.
According to the reports Ryan Shay had been diagnosed with an enlarged heart but cleared by doctors.