A 24-year-old runner died after collapsing near the end of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, the New York Road Runners (NYRR) confirmed. The runner, Rachel Apa, collapsed in Central Park with just over two miles remaining in the race.
Médical staff, including physicians from the crowd, responded to Apa, administering CPR and using a defibrillator. Paramedics arrived shortly after, transporting her to Mount Sinai Medical Center. Doctors attempted to save her life for six hours before she was pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m., according to her father.
Apa's father told The New York Times that his daughter died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition where muscle tissue breaks down rapidly, releasing harmful proteins into the blood.
"It's unfathomable," Steve Apa said. "Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old."
The NYRR issued a statement expressing their sorrow: "We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our runners following yesterday's race. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with the runner's family, friends, and the entire running community."
Apa, a graduate of Bucknell University and former college field hockey player, had been training for months to run the marathon and raise funds for the Parkinson's Foundation. Her grandfather died from Parkinson's disease in 2022. She had written online that her grandfather, who taught her to stay active, was her role model and that she wanted to raise funds for research, better care, and a cure.
Apa had been in contact with her parents via text message during the race. Her mother was present and saw her daughter at Mile 14, but later noticed on the marathon tracking app that Apa had stopped at Mile 24. Her mother followed Apa to the hospital.
The New York Road Runners confirmed that Apa was the first runner to die during the New York City Marathon since 2024. In 2007, Ryan Shay, a five-time US national champion, died in Central Park during the Olympic marathon trials, which were held by the NYRR the day before that year's marathon.