Rachel Apa dies after collapsing near New York City Marathon finish

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old runner from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, died after collapsing near the end of Sunday's New York City Marathon, according to an account from her father reported by the Guardian. Steve Apa told the New York Times that his daughter collapsed in Central Park with about two miles remaining in the race.

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Apa was taking part in her first marathon and running with the Parkinson's Champions team. Her participation honoured her late grandfather, who had Parkinson's disease. She had played field hockey at college and had recently begun an MBA at Charleston Southern University. Her father described her as healthy and physically fit before the race.

Both of her parents, Steve and Michelle Apa, were there to support her on Sunday. According to the account carried by the Guardian, Michelle recorded her daughter smiling at mile 14. Rachel later sent her father messages indicating pain at miles 18 and 19, before sending another message at mile 23 that referred to approaching the finish.

She collapsed soon afterwards. A member of the public performed CPR, and race medical personnel then used a defibrillator before she was transported to Mount Sinai Medical Center. The Guardian reported that doctors attempted to save her, but that she died at 9.40pm.

Steve Apa told the Times that his daughter had died from rhabdomyolysis. The reported cause of death was attributed to him in the Guardian's coverage; the article did not cite a separate medical finding. His account also described the family's shock at losing a daughter who had been an athlete and was undertaking the marathon for a personal cause.

New York Road Runners, the race organiser, acknowledged the death of a participant in a statement and expressed sorrow and sympathy for the runner's family, friends and the wider running community. The organisation also said that the previous death of a participant from a medical incident at the New York City Marathon had occurred in 2024.