NYC Marathon runner, 24, dies after collapsing 2 miles from finish
A first-time marathon runner collapsed just 2 miles from the finish line during the New York City Marathon on Sunday, succumbing to complications from rhabdomyolysis—a rare condition caused by extreme muscle breakdown. Rachel Apa, 24, of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, was 24 miles into the 26.2-mile race when she collapsed in Central Park, prompting bystanders and medical staff to administer CPR and use a defibrillator before paramedics transported her to Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Despite emergency efforts, doctors were unable to save her after hours of treatment in critical condition. Apa had been running to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research in honor of her grandfather, whose own battle with the disease had inspired her dedication to fitness and athletics.
Apa, a former Division I field hockey player at Bucknell University, had recently begun a master’s program and worked as a product manager. Her death shocked the running community, especially as the marathon celebrated its 50th anniversary in its five-borough format.
A fundraising page for her ‘Parkinson’s Champions’ campaign quickly surpassed its $4,000 goal, reflecting the outpouring of support from supporters and fellow runners. The New York Road Runners organization expressed deep sorrow, calling Apa’s passing ‘unfathomable’ and honoring her legacy as a dedicated athlete and advocate.
