The Runner's Cookbook: Winning Recipes from Some of the World's Best Athletes

Ryan Shay

In addition to being a hero and friend to many, Ryan Shay was a champion on the roads and track. He won the 2001 NCAA 10,000m title and was a nine-time All-American for the University of Notre Dame. During his professional running career, Shay won the 2003 USA Marathon Championship, the 2003 and 2004 USA Half Marathon Championships, the 2004 USA 20k Championship, and the 2005 USA 15k Championship.

On November 3, 2007, five-and-a-half miles into the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Men’s Marathon in New York City, Shay collapsed and died suddenly, due to a heart condition. It was an event that shocked and deeply saddened the entire running community.

Half of the proceeds from this cookbook will go to the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund, to help Shay’s family undertake special projects in his memory.

Jenny Crain

Jenny Crain, a popular member of the professional running community, suffered serious head and neck injuries after being hit by a car while training in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 21, 2007.

Crain is a four-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon and a two-time qualifier on the track. She represented the U.S. in the marathon at the 2005 World Track & Field Championships, and was the top U.S. finisher at the 2004 ING New York City Marathon. Crain finished 11th at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in a personal record of 2:37:36.

As of this writing, Crain has made great strides in her recovery, but still has a long way to go. Half of the proceeds from this cookbook will go to the Jenny Crain “Make It Happen” Fund, to help Crain and her family with her continued care, treatment, and recovery. Updates on Crain's condition can be found at http://www.jennycrain.net, where you can also make a direction donation to the Jenny Crain "Make It Happen" Fund.