24-Year-Old First-Time Marathoner Dies After Collapsing in Central Park

Sixty-one thousand runners crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, yet one participant never made it to the end. Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old resident of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, died on Tuesday after collapsing near the race's conclusion. It was her first time running the full 26.2-mile distance.

According to the New York Police Department, Apa collapsed in Central Park while approaching the 24-mile mark. That point sits just over two miles from the finish line. Her father, Steve Apa, told The New York Times that doctors diagnosed her with rhabdomyolysis. The rare condition causes muscle tissue to break down during exertion, releasing substances that can poison the body.

Michaela Nicholas, a hospital social worker watching the race from the sidelines, witnessed the event unfold. Nicholas recalled calling out an encouraging message to Apa as they passed each other. Approximately 15 yards further along the route, Apa fell to the ground. Nicholas tried to comfort the runner while two other spectators began performing CPR.

"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 said by phone on Tuesday. Event medical staff continued resuscitation efforts and used a defibrillator before paramedics transported Apa to Mount Sinai Medical Center. Despite hours of medical intervention, she remained in critical condition until her death.

New York Road Runners, the nonprofit that organizes the marathon, stated that bystanders administered CPR immediately after the collapse. The organization expressed its deep sadness in a news release, extending sympathies to Apa's family and the running community. The race marked the 50th anniversary of the event's five-borough format, a milestone that was overshadowed by her passing.

Apa had entered the marathon to raise funds for Parkinson's disease research in memory of her grandfather. He died in 2022 after battling the condition. On her fundraising page, sponsored by the Parkinson's Foundation, Apa wrote that her grandfather taught her to stay active and push her limits. Her original goal was $4,000. Donations quickly exceeded that amount as news of her death spread on Tuesday.

Before the marathon, Apa worked as a product manager for an electrical component company. She had recently begun a master's program at Charleston Southern University. She graduated from Bucknell University in 2024 with a degree in markets, innovation and design. During her time at Bucknell, she played Division I field hockey and scored 17 goals for the team.

Her father described Apa as being in perfect health prior to the race. "It's unfathomable," Steve Apa told The New York Times, expressing the shock felt by her family and friends. Bucknell University and USA Field Hockey both issued statements of condolence. USA Field Hockey noted that Apa's impact on the sport would not be forgotten.