A 24-year-old youth minister participating in the Portland Marathon suffered a fatal cardiac arrest just one mile after running up to his Korean wife to share a kiss. His bright smile as he sprinted back toward the finish line remains her final memory of him.
Trayton Lara, affectionately known as Trey, died from cardiac arrest during the Portland Marathon held in Oregon on October 4. He was just days away from celebrating his 25th birthday and had actively dedicated his life to youth ministry.
Lara’s wife, Audrey Shin-Lara, recalled their final moments together in an interview with local broadcasting station KPTV. She shared that she saw him around the 18 to 19-mile mark when he ran over, smiled, gave her a kiss, and continued running. At the time, he appeared to be in excellent health. However, Lara suddenly collapsed at the 20-mile marker after his heart stopped. He was rushed to the hospital where medical staff attempted resuscitation, but he ultimately passed away.
Shin-Lara noted that her husband had spent months preparing for the marathon and had no known underlying health conditions. There were no warning signs on the morning of the accident, and running was his way of relieving stress and finding inner peace.
Coping with Sudden Loss and a Legacy of Service
Faced with a sudden and heartbreaking farewell, Shin-Lara expressed that the reality of her husband’s death still feels surreal, noting that grief comes in waves and she often expects him to be by her side when she wakes up.
During his life, Lara was deeply devoted to youth ministry. He worked alongside other youth leaders to drive positive change in the community and even helped launch the youth camp Camp Genesis earlier that summer. Family and friends remember him as a warm-hearted person who loved his family just as much as his faith, serving as an exceptional older brother and a gentle uncle.
Community Support and GoFundMe Campaign
The couple shared their daily lives together with their white Golden Retriever. To support the bereaved family, an online fundraising campaign was launched on GoFundMe, where people have poured out their tributes. The fundraiser description highlights Lara’s love for movies, photography, and cooking, as well as his outgoing personality. Donations aim to cover funeral expenses, medical bills, and living costs for the grieving family, surpassing $82,000.
Despite the abrupt heartbreak, Shin-Lara shared her eternal love for her husband in a final message, expressing faith that they will meet again one day.
