24-Year-Old Runner Dies of Rhabdomyolysis After Collapsing at NYC Marathon

Rachel Apa, 24, dies after collapsing two miles from the NYC Marathon finish line

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old runner described by her family as being in “perfect health,” died after collapsing near the 24-mile mark during the New York City Marathon on Sunday. The former Bucknell University field hockey player was just two miles away from completing her first marathon when the medical emergency occurred in Central Park, according to reports from the New York Post and NBC News New York.

Nearly 60,000 runners from more than 140 countries competed in the New York City Marathon on Sunday, as crowds lined the route with banners to cheer them on. This year’s race marked 50 years since organisers introduced the five-borough course in 1976. Competitors covered 42.2… pic.twitter.com/Nc9jsmAxdQ

— https://x.com/Anewz_tv/status/2117066663573016949

The tragedy unfolded during a race that saw record-breaking participation, with 61,146 finishers. While the event celebrated high-performance athletics—including wins by Andreas Almgren and Sheila Chepkirui—the focus for the Apa family shifted from celebration to crisis as the race progressed. Rachel had been running to raise money for the Parkinson’s Champions team in honor of her grandfather, who passed away in 2022, NBC News New York reported.

The medical cause of death was identified by doctors as rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle tissue breaks down and releases toxic components into the bloodstream, which can lead to kidney damage. While the Cleveland Clinic notes that approximately 26,000 people in the United States develop this condition annually, doctors told the Apa family the diagnosis in this specific instance was “extremely rare.”

A series of troubling texts preceded the collapse

The descent from feeling “amazing” to a life-threatening emergency was captured in a series of text messages sent to her father, Steve Apa. Earlier in the morning, Rachel texted him from the 9-mile mark, stating, “I feel amazing,” and attributing her energy to her pre-race carb-loading, NBC News New York reported.

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However, as the physical toll of the marathon intensified, the tone of her communications changed:

At mile 18: Rachel texted her father, “Ow.”
At mile 19: She followed up with, “Ow, Ow.”
At mile 20: She sent another message stating, “Ow, ow.”

Her father, who was tracking her progress via the official marathon app from his home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, attempted to encourage her. At mile 23, he sent a message telling her she was in the “final stretch” and to focus on finishing rather than speed. Rachel did not respond to that final check-in. Shortly after 1:30 p.m., Steve Apa noticed her location on the tracking app had stopped moving. NBC News New York reported that his wife, Michelle, and two friends were also traversing the five boroughs to follow Rachel and noticed the lack of movement near the 24-mile marker.

When Michelle Apa arrived near the scene, an EMS worker informed her that an ambulance had already transported Rachel to Mount Sinai Hospital. An EMS worker drove Michelle to the hospital in a second ambulance, NBC News New York reported.

Questions arise regarding emergency response times

The circumstances surrounding the immediate medical intervention at the scene have drawn scrutiny. Michaela Nicholas, a hospital social worker who was spectating the race, rushed to Rachel’s side along with her fiancée to administer CPR before official marathon medical staff arrived. Nicholas told the New York Post that it took medics at least seven minutes to arrive with a defibrillator, a delay she described as “an unacceptable amount of time.”

24-Year-Old Runner Dies of Rhabdomyolysis After Collapsing at NYC Marathon — Photo: nbcnewyork.com

The New York Road Runners, the organization that manages the marathon, acknowledged that a bystander performed CPR before medical staff could intervene. The organization also confirmed that medical staff subsequently used a defibrillator on Rachel. Following the collapse, the NYPD stated that emergency workers transported her to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition around 2:00 p.m., where doctors attempted to save her for more than six hours before pronouncing her dead.

Rachel Apa, 24, dies after collapsing during NYC Marathon | NBC New York

This incident marks the first death at the New York City Marathon since 2024, the New York Post reported. The event remains a massive logistical undertaking, with 60,000 runners starting the race this year, yet the sudden loss of a young athlete in “perfect shape” has highlighted the inherent risks of extreme physical exertion, even for those with significant athletic backgrounds.

Rachel Apa had recently moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to pursue an MBA while working a remote job. Her father described her as someone who was “always on the go,” whether in academics or sports, NBC News New York reported.