A 24-year-old former college athlete collapsed near the end of her first New York City Marathon on Sunday. Just over 2 miles from the finish line, Rachel Apa went down. Later that day she died at a hospital. Her family says doctors told them she had a rare muscle condition.
The family identified her as Rachel Apa of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania. Running for the Parkinson’s Foundation, she honored her grandfather, who died of Parkinson’s disease in 2022. At Bucknell University, Rachel played Division I field hockey. Seventeen goals later, she graduated in 2024. Her job was product manager at TE Connectivity, an electrical parts company. August brought the start of an MBA program at Charleston Southern University.
The race took place on November 1. It marked 50 years of the marathon’s five-borough route. The Associated Press reported a record 61,000 runners crossed the finish line.
Rachel’s father, Steve Apa, followed her from home in Pennsylvania. The race’s tracking app let him see her progress. He texted her the number of each mile. Her mother, Michelle, waited farther along the course. Early in the race, Rachel looked upbeat. Her mother reportedly filmed a smile around mile 14. The video also shows a high-five.
Later, the messages changed. Steve told The New York Times that Rachel wrote “Ow” at mile 18. A mile later came “Ow ow.” He told her to go easy. At mile 23 he sent: “Final stretch.” No reply came. Her parents waited near mile 25. Her dot stopped moving at mile 24.
Rachel collapsed in Central Park near mile 24. The NYPD and race officials put the time at about 1:30 to 1:40 p.m. Reports place the spot between East 84th and East 90th Streets. Michaela Nicholas, a hospital social worker, was watching the race. Just before the collapse, Nicholas had called out encouragement. About 15 yards later, Rachel went down. Nicholas told the AP that she held Rachel’s hand. Rachel was told she wasn’t alone. Two other spectators performed CPR while Nicholas prayed.
New York Road Runners organizes the marathon. The group said a bystander gave CPR first. Race medical staff then took over. They also performed CPR and used a defibrillator. Paramedics took Rachel to Mount Sinai Hospital around 2 p.m. Police said her condition was critical. Her father told reporters that doctors worked for more than six hours. Death was pronounced at 9:40 p.m.
Steve Apa says doctors blamed rhabdomyolysis. This rare condition causes muscle to break down. Harmful substances then enter the blood. The kidneys and the heart can be damaged. That cause has not been officially confirmed. The medical examiner’s office told CBS News on Tuesday that no final determination had been made. CNN reported Wednesday that the office was still investigating. New York Road Runners has not confirmed a cause. No autopsy results have been made public. Steve described his daughter as being in “perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old.” Her death, he said, was “unfathomable.”
Experts say deaths during marathons are extremely rare. New York Road Runners told The New York Times that the last death in the New York City Marathon came in 2024. A medical incident preceded it. CBC News counted at least six runners who died in marathons and half-marathons around the world in the past six months.
Tributes have come from across her life. New York Road Runners said it was “deeply saddened.” Bucknell called her a four-year member and key contributor to its field hockey team. Her club team, Central Penn Field Hockey, said she played with intensity. Every time, the team said, she gave 100%. Charleston Southern shared words from a class assignment. In it, Rachel wrote that she wanted to show Christ’s love in business and everyday life. On Wednesday New York Giants coach John Harbaugh opened his news conference by honoring her. Rachel would be “really dearly missed,” he said.
Money has also poured in for the cause she chose. Her fundraising page passed its $4,000 goal on Tuesday. Fox News reported Wednesday that it had raised more than $55,000. The total was still growing. The Parkinson’s Foundation said her decision to run was “deeply personal.”
For now, a family is mourning. A running community is searching for answers. The medical examiner’s investigation continues. Rachel did not get to cross the finish line. But the cause she ran for has gained tens of thousands of dollars in a matter of days.
