Tragedy at the New York City Marathon
Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old runner from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, died after collapsing near Central Park just two miles (roughly 3.2 kilometers) from the finish line of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1. Apa, a product manager and MBA student at Charleston Southern University and a former field hockey player at Bucknell University, was running to support the Parkinson’s Foundation in memory of her grandfather, who died in 2022.
Bystanders immediately rushed to help after she fell on the asphalt around 1:30 p.m. An on-site social worker and two physicians initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation before New York Road Runners medical personnel arrived with defibrillators. Emergency crews then transported Apa by ambulance to the Mount Sinai Medical Center, where physicians worked for six hours before pronouncing her dead at 9:40 p.m.
Father reveals fatal rhabdomyolysis cause
Steve Apa, the runner’s father, stated that his daughter died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare and severe medical condition that causes skeletal muscle tissue to break down and release dangerous toxins into the bloodstream. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the condition can be triggered by extreme physical exertion or previous trauma and can prove fatal. Her father described her as being in “perfect health, in perfect shape,” calling the sudden loss “inconceivable.”
Her family tracked her progress closely throughout the race. Her mother, Michelle Apa, watched her pass the 14-mile mark in Queens and filmed her smiling in a light green outfit. Meanwhile, her father exchanged text messages from Pennsylvania. Apa texted “Ahi” at the 18th mile and “Ahi, ahi” at the 19th. At the 23rd mile, her father texted that she was in the final stretch, but received no further response. Her mother noticed on the race tracking application that her daughter’s signal had stopped at the 24th mile and rushed to the scene just as the ambulance departed.
Organizers confirm rare race fatality
New York Road Runners confirmed that this is the first death in the race since 2024, expressing deep condolences to her family and the wider running community.
Answers to race incident questions
What caused Rachel Apa’s collapse during the race?
Her father, Steve Apa, stated that she suffered from rhabdomyolysis, a rare medical condition that breaks down muscle tissue and releases toxins into the body.
Which charity was Rachel Apa supporting during the marathon?
She ran with the “Parkinson’s Champions” team to raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation in honor of her grandfather, who passed away in 2022.
When and where did the incident take place?
The collapse occurred near Central Park at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, November 1, just two miles from the marathon’s finish line.