A 24-year-old woman has died after collapsing during the New York City Marathon, just two miles from the finish line in Central Park. Her sudden death has left her family devastated, with her father describing the loss as something he still struggles to comprehend.
Rachel Apa, a Pennsylvania native who was running her first marathon, collapsed during Sunday’s race as she approached the final stretch of the course. Despite efforts by medical personnel and a bystander who rushed to help her, she later died at a hospital.
Apa had spent months preparing for the event, which held special meaning for her because she was running in honor of her late grandfather. What was supposed to be a major personal achievement and a tribute to someone she deeply admired instead became a heartbreaking tragedy for her family.
A hospital worker who was watching the marathon as a spectator noticed what had happened and immediately rushed to assist her. The bystander began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while emergency medical personnel were alerted.
Medical teams soon arrived with a defibrillator and continued efforts to save her life. However, Apa’s condition remained critical, and she was transported to a hospital for further treatment.
According to her father, Steve Apa, speaking to The New York Times, his daughter died at approximately 9:40 p.m. following the emergency.
Rachel had a deeply personal reason for taking part in the New York City Marathon. She was raising money for the Parkinson’s Foundation Champions team in memory of her grandfather, who died four years earlier.
In her fundraising message, Apa described her grandfather as her role model while growing up. She credited him with teaching her to push beyond her limits and helping develop her passion for sports and physical activity.
She had spent several months training for the event, preparing physically and mentally for the difficult 26.2-mile course.
Her family said she had been in excellent health and physical condition before the race, making the sudden emergency even more difficult to understand.
Throughout the marathon, Rachel remained in contact with her parents through text messages. Her family was also following her progress through a tracking application, allowing them to monitor her position along the course.
Her mother, Michelle Apa, even recorded her daughter as she passed the 14-mile marker, capturing what was expected to be a memorable moment during her first marathon.
However, as the race continued, the messages Rachel sent to her father began to suggest that she was experiencing discomfort.
At mile 18, she texted her father: “Ow.” At mile 19, she sent another message: “Ow, Ow.”
Although the messages indicated that she was experiencing pain, her parents continued following her progress, hoping she would successfully reach the finish line.
The last exchange between Rachel and her father took place around mile 23. Steve sent her an encouraging message, reminding her that she was entering the final stretch and describing it as the “home stretch.”
But this time, there was no response.
Shortly afterward, her mother realized that Rachel’s tracking information was no longer showing the expected progress. Concerned that something had happened, Michelle rushed toward Central Park.
By then, her daughter had collapsed, and emergency responders were attempting to save her.
The family’s experience of following the race through messages and a tracking application turned into a desperate search for information about Rachel’s condition.
Father Says Her Death Is Unimaginable
Rachel’s death has prompted an outpouring of sadness among those connected to the running community.
New York Road Runners, the organization responsible for organizing the marathon, released a statement expressing its condolences following the tragedy.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our runners following yesterday’s race,” the organization said.
“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with the runner’s family, friends, and the entire running community.”
Rachel was a student at Charleston Southern University. Her death marked the first fatal medical incident involving a participant at the New York City Marathon since 2024, according to UNILAD.
After months of preparation, Rachel had reached the final miles of her first marathon. She was running not only to challenge herself but also to honor her grandfather and support a cause that mattered deeply to her.
Instead of celebrating her accomplishment, her loved ones are now remembering a young woman whose life ended unexpectedly during an event she had worked so hard to complete.
Although rhabdomyolysis is sometimes associated with endurance sports and extreme exercise, the condition is not limited to marathon runners or professional athletes.
According to her father, Rachel died from rhabdomyolysis, a condition that can occur when muscle tissue breaks down following intense physical exertion.
People who work in physically demanding environments, particularly those exposed to high temperatures, can also face an increased risk.
Firefighters, factory workers, and outdoor laborers may be vulnerable because of prolonged physical exertion and exposure to heat.
The CDC adds: “It’s a common misconception that only unfit or out of shape people get rhabdo. People in great shape, such as firefighters, marathon runners, and professional athletes, get rhabdo. It can happen to anyone and even after activities you have done in the past without a problem.
“People also falsely believe dehydration causes rhabdo. Dehydration doesn’t cause rhabdo but it can make it worse. Dehydration impairs the body’s ability to get rid of the proteins and electrolytes in the blood stream released from damaged muscle. These proteins and electrolytes cause organ damage.”
The tragedy occurred during a particularly historic edition of the New York City Marathon.
First held in 1970, the event has grown into one of the world’s most recognizable long-distance running competitions, attracting participants from across the globe.
The 2026 edition set a new participation record, with 61,146 runners taking part.
Although she came within just two miles of the finish line, her story ended in circumstances her family never could have imagined.
