24-Year-Old Runner Dies Two Miles From New York City Marathon Finish

Rachel Apa died on Sunday afternoon after collapsing two miles short of the finish line in the New York City Marathon.

The 24-year-old woman suffered a medical episode near the mile 24 marker in Central Park. New York Police Department officials stated that emergency medical workers transported her to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition around 2 p.m. She died at the hospital several hours later.

Her father, Steve Apa, confirmed the details to NBC News and described the situation as unfathomable. He watched the race from home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, using a tracking app. His wife, Michelle, and two of Rachel’s friends ran the course to support her.

The Apas maintained contact with Rachel via text messages during the race. At 11:30 a.m., when she reached the 9-mile mark, she wrote, Hey, go. She added that she felt amazing and credited her pre-race carbohydrate intake for her energy. Her father cautioned her not to overdo it, noting that her mother would be waiting nearby.

Michelle Apa saw their daughter pass the 14th mile. Rachel’s texts grew shorter and more strained as the distance increased. She sent a single word, Ugh, after the 18th mile. By the 20th mile, she was texting, Ow, ow. Her father reminded her to go easy and to focus on finishing rather than speed.

At mile 24, around 1:30 p.m., Steve sent one final message. He then noticed that Rachel’s location on the tracking app had stopped moving. His wife, who was waiting near mile 25, also saw the freeze in the data. She began calling out Rachel’s name near the 24th mile marker but could not find her. An EMS worker on scene told her that an ambulance had taken Rachel to the hospital.

New York Road Runners, the marathon organizer, said a bystander performed CPR before the event’s medical staff arrived. Staff then used a defibrillator on the runner. Doctors told the family that Rachel died of rhabdomyolysis, a condition they described as extremely rare.

Rhabdomyolysis occurs when muscles break down due to overexertion. The Cleveland Clinic explains that this process allows toxic components from muscle fibers to enter the bloodstream and kidneys. Rachel was a former Division I field hockey player at Bucknell University. She recently moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to pursue an MBA while working a remote job.

Rachel ran the marathon for the Parkinson’s Foundation to honor her grandfather, who died of the disease. She wrote on LinkedIn that he taught her to stay active and push her limits. Her father said she was always on the go, whether for school or sports. He and Michelle have returned to Pennsylvania, where they are processing the events of the day with their two sons.