24-Year-Old Runner Rachel Apa Died Two Miles from NYC Marathon Finish

24-Year-Old Runner Rachel Apa Died Two Miles from NYC Marathon Finish

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Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old industrial-technology product manager from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, collapsed in Central Park on Sunday while running her first New York City Marathon, just over two miles from the finish line, and later died, scrippsnews.com reported.

The tragedy unfolded during a landmark race that should have been a celebration. The 2026 marathon marked 50 years since the event expanded from its original Central Park-only loop to the current five-borough format, and a record 61,000 runners reached the finish line. Apa was approaching the 24-mile mark of the 26.2-mile course when she went down, according to the New York Police Department.

Two Miles From the Finish, a Medical Emergency

Bystanders and event medical staff rushed to Apa’s side in the park. New York Road Runners, according to a news release from the nonprofit club that stages the race, a bystander administered CPR to Apa, and event medical staffers also performed CPR and used a defibrillator. Paramedics arrived and took Apa to a hospital, but were unable to save her. Yahoo Sports reported that she was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital on Sunday night before being declared dead, and that she had begun complaining of severe pain during Mile 18 of the run.

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

The city medical examiner’s office said Tuesday it was investigating the cause of Apa’s death. Her father, Steve Apa, told The New York Times that she had been stricken with rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which muscles break down during exertion, poisoning the body. Yahoo Sports noted that Apa was believed to be in good health prior to the race and had spent time training for the event.

A Stranger’s Comfort in the Final Yards

Michaela Nicholas, a hospital social worker, was watching the race and cheering on any runners whose names she could discern from their bibs when Apa passed by. On Tuesday, Nicholas recounted that she shouted words of encouragement, and moments later watched Apa fall roughly 15 yards ahead on the course.

“I just held Rachel’s hand and talked to her and told her that she wasn’t alone and that she’s loved, and I prayed for her,” Nicholas, a clinical social worker, said by phone.

She tried to comfort Apa while two other race spectators performed CPR on the fallen runner.

Running for Parkinson’s in Her Grandfather’s Name

Apa, a former college field hockey player, had dedicated her first marathon to raising money for Parkinson’s disease research in honor of her grandfather, who had the disease and died in 2022. On her “Parkinson’s Champions” fundraising page sponsored by the Parkinson’s Foundation, she wrote that her grandfather “taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges, shaping my love for sports and movement.”

24-Year-Old Runner Rachel Apa Died Two Miles from NYC Marathon Finish
Photo: sports.yahoo.com

The 24-year-old had just begun a master’s program at Charleston Southern University. Her employer, TE Connectivity, which makes various electrical components and electronics, was processing the news on Tuesday and offered its condolences. She had graduated from Bucknell University in 2024 with a degree in markets, innovation and design, and had scored a total of 17 goals for the school’s field hockey team. Bucknell also expressed condolences, and USA Field Hockey, the sport’s governing body, said on social media that “Rachel’s impact on the sport and those around her will not be forgotten.”

Donations Surge Past the Goal

As word of Apa’s death spread on Tuesday, money poured into her “Parkinson’s Champions” fundraising page. Scrippsnews.com reported the donations quickly exceeded her $4,000 goal, while Yahoo Sports put the total at more than $8,700 raised for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

New York Road Runners released a statement: “We are deeply saddened by Rachel’s passing following running in Sunday’s race. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with her family, friends and the entire running community.”

Steve Apa, who told Yahoo Sports he was tracking his daughter’s run throughout New York City, called the loss “unfathomable” to The New York Times. He said Rachel had been in “perfect health.” The medical examiner’s investigation into the exact cause of her death remains open.

New York City Marathon Runner Rachel Apa Dies After Collapsing In Central Park Just Two Miles To Go

More on Rachel Apa

24-year-old runner Rachel Apa dies after collapsing during NYC Marathon
NYC Marathon Runner Rachel Apa Dead at 24 After Collapsing During Race | E! News

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