Friends and fellow runners fondly remember marathoner Ryan Shay at a service at Buffalo Park.

There were few things in life Ryan Shay enjoyed more than running through Buffalo Park.

Preparing for marathons or other various competitive races, Shay would go up to the park and run a mile or two at a time through the scenic setting, while taking some time to unwind.

On Wednesday, Shay's friends and family members gathered at the park to remember him in a memorial service.

Shay, who passed away on Nov. 3 during the U.S men's marathon Olympic trials in New York City, due to an enlarged heart, was remembered as a loyal, loving and caring person by his peers.

Nearly 100 people, many of whom were from the local running community, were on hand for the service that included music, prayer and personal stories. Phil Wharton, who worked with Shay four times a week during the past year as his musculoskeletal therapist, led the service.

He welcomed the people in attendance and then gave way to Shay's brother, Nathan, who read a religious passage. Nathan thanked everybody who came to the park, then read the passage and returned to his seat with members of his family by his side.

There was a three-piece ensemble musical group on hand to provide music throughout the service in between the various people who spoke. One of the people to speak was Alvina Begay, who trained with Shay.

Begay relayed a story from right before Shay went to New York for the race when she and Shay, along with a group of runners, went to breakfast in Flagstaff and shared a few smiles and jokes before he took off to continue pursuing his dream.

After Begay spoke, Wharton read a Bible passage that he read at Shay's wedding last July. During the passage, Wharton fought back tears as he remembered his friend and colleague.

"I first came in contact with him in 2002, and began interacting with him on a daily basis this past year, but it was like we knew each other our whole lives," Wharton said after the service. "He was so highly respected by his peers and everyone that knew him. He represents the possibility of achieving something great if you work hard enough for it."

Shay's wife, Alicia, sat in the first row, a few seats down from Nathan and spent the majority of the service in her mother's arms with tears dripping down her face.

The service ended with the ensemble playing Amazing Grace and the people in attendance providing the lyrics. Wharton then invited everybody for a short "walk of reflection" through the McMillan loop at the park, while bagpipes played in the background.

One of the people on hand to pay his final respects to Shay was Mike Smith. Smith trained with Shay at the High Altitude Training Center at NAU and also competed in the marathon last week in New York.

Smith and Shay lived together earlier in the year, before Shay got married, and Smith had fond memories of one of his best friends.

"A lot of people know him as a dedicated, hard-working runner. He was, and he was also an incredible human being," Smith said before the service. "He's a real inspiration for everybody, even if they had a different passion. He taught people that it is possible to achieve your dreams if you work hard enough."

Smith, who started the race in New York by Shay's side, said it has been a difficult time at the training center since Shay's death. Shay's former running partners have been using running as a way to distract themselves from the tragedy.

"It's been very hard stuff," Smith said. "I think everyone feels like they have to be strong, but we've all realized it's OK to break down. He had a huge impact on a lot of people's life."

Shay was one of the more decorated runners at the High Altitude Training Center. He ran in college at Notre Dame and won the 2001 NCAA championship at 10,000 meters and also captured the 2003 national marathon championship.

"He wasn't the most talented runner I've come in contact with, but he was the hardest worker," Wharton said. "He set his mind to achieving great things and then did them. He is such an inspiration."

Daniel Berk can be reached at dberk@azdailysun.com or 556-2251.