Portland, Oregon — A 24-year-old youth pastor died Sunday after collapsing during the Portland Marathon, just one mile after sharing a kiss with his wife while running the race.
Treyton “Trey” Lara had spent months preparing for the marathon, according to his wife, Aundrey Shin-Lara. She said there were no obvious signs that anything was wrong when she saw him during the race.
For Aundrey, the final moments she shared with her husband during the marathon have become a heartbreaking memory as she grieves his sudden death.
Trey Looked Fine When He Saw His Wife
Aundrey told a local news outlet that Trey had always enjoyed running, describing it as a way for him to relax and release stress.
“I think he’s just always just enjoyed running as just a way to like relax and release,” Audrey said.
She was positioned along the marathon route when Trey reached approximately mile 18 or 19. According to Aundrey, he appeared to be doing well.
“I saw him at 18, 19. He ran over and was able to smile and give me a kiss, and then he ran off, and he looked good,” Audrey told. It would be the last time she saw her husband running normally.
He Collapsed Around Mile 20
Just one mile later, Trey suddenly collapsed during the race. Aundrey said doctors later told her that Trey had gone into cardiac arrest.
He was taken to a hospital for treatment, but doctors eventually told his wife that it was too late. The suddenness of the loss has left Aundrey struggling to process what happened.
“The grief is coming in waves where one moment it still doesn’t feel real where we’re like I’m just gonna wake up, and he’s gonna be over there,” she told.
Trey had reportedly been healthy and was not known to be suffering from any underlying medical conditions, making his death even more shocking to his family and friends.
Youth Pastor Remembered for His Faith and Family
Outside of running, Trey was deeply involved in his faith and worked as a youth pastor.
Aundrey said her husband was working alongside other pastors who wanted to make a positive impact in the world. More recently, he had helped open Camp Genesis, a youth camp, during the summer.
She remembered Trey as someone who had a strong connection with both his faith and the people around him.
“Besides loving Jesus, he loved his friends and family. He was the best big brother, Tio to so many cousins, and some of our friends’ kids would call him Uncle Trey,” Audrey added.
The couple were also dog parents to a large white golden retriever, adding another part of their shared life that Aundrey is now facing without him.
Wife Says Love Is Helping Her Through the Loss
As Aundrey deals with the shock and grief, she said the outpouring of love for Trey has helped her begin navigating the devastating loss.
“He’s the love of my life, always will be. And we’ll see him again,” Audrey told.
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Friends, family and members of the community have also been remembering Trey for his personality, interests and ability to connect with people.
A GoFundMe campaign was established to support the family during the difficult period. The fundraiser had collected nearly $60,000 according to the information provided by the family.
The fundraiser described Trey as someone who loved film, maintained an active Letterboxd account and enjoyed everything from photography and cooking to fashion and coffee.
“He loved film, kept an active Letterboxd account, ate popcorn like it was a delicacy, collected clothes like works of art, and had a unique sense of style. He was a coffee purist, a foodie, an incredible chef, and had an eye for photography. He could make friends with anyone and had an unmatched sense of humor,” the fundraiser’s author wrote.
The page also noted that Trey was just shy of his 25th birthday.
A Marathon Ending in Unthinkable Tragedy
The Portland Marathon draws thousands of runners, turning the event into a major annual gathering for athletes and spectators.
For Aundrey, however, this year’s race will forever be remembered for the final moment she shared with her husband: a smile, a kiss and the sight of Trey continuing down the course.
What began as a race Trey had prepared for over months ended in a devastating loss for his wife, family, friends and the young people whose lives he touched through his work.
Trey’s loved ones are now remembering him for his faith, humor, generosity and love for the people around him. What message would you share with a family facing such a sudden loss? Share your thoughts and condolences in the comments.
