24-Year-Old Runner Rachel Apa Dies Near New York City Marathon Finish

Rachel Apa collapsed near the 39-kilometer mark of the New York City Marathon on November 1, 2026, less than three kilometers from the finish line in Central Park, and later died at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

The Final Kilometers of a First Marathon

The 24-year-old from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, was completing her first marathon to raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation in honor of her grandfather, who died of the disease in 2022. Running with bib number 29977, Apa collapsed around 1:30 p.m. near 85th Street in Central Park. Spectator Michaela Nicholas, a hospital social worker, was among the first to reach her, holding her hand and calling for medical help as bystanders and doctors performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The first call for help was given by Michaela Nicholas, who had been cheering for any runner whose name she could distinguish on a bib. Nicholas recalled shouting an encouragement message and seeing Apa collapse about 14 meters further along the course. The spectator called for a doctor, and three individuals—two of them identified as doctors—took turns applying CPR until the marathon’s medical services arrived, continuing the resuscitation and utilizing a defibrillator. Event medical personnel arrived with a defibrillator, and paramedics subsequently transported Apa to Mount Sinai Medical Center. She was pronounced dead later that evening at 9:40 p.m., according to The New York Times.

Family members tracked the runner through the five boroughs

Steve Apa followed his daughter’s progress from Pennsylvania using the official marathon tracking application, exchanging text messages throughout the race. Earlier in the day, around the 15-kilometer mark, Rachel texted her father Hey, go, noting that she had never felt better. Her father cautioned her not to overexceed herself on her debut marathon. Toward the 22-kilometer mark, her mother Michelle Apa—who covered the city’s five boroughs alongside two of Rachel’s friends to follow her in person—recorded a video of the young woman waving at the camera with a smile, dressed in a light green t-shirt and shorts.

By the 29th kilometer, messages from Rachel shifted to the word Ay, which she repeated at kilometers 30 and 31 before communications stopped. When her location on the tracking app ceased moving near kilometer 39, her mother, Michelle Apa, and friends waiting near the finish line were alerted to check the course.

Medical examiner investigates death caused by muscle breakdown

Steve Apa stated that his daughter suffered from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition where skeletal muscle tissue breaks down rapidly, releasing proteins and electrolytes such as myoglobin into the bloodstream and potentially causing severe kidney damage and other potentially life-threatening complications. The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner announced that it was investigating the exact cause of death.

Medical professionals noted that rhabdomyolysis can occasionally be triggered by extreme physical exertion, though doctors described it as extremely rare in that context. Her father emphasized that Rachel was in perfect health prior to the event, noting that she had just begun a master’s degree program at Charleston Southern University and was in perfect health, perfect condition, 24 years old.

Donations surged past the fundraising goal after tragedy

Following the tragedy, donations surged to Apa’s Parkinson’s Champions fundraising page, quickly surpassing her initial 4,000-dollar goal. Tributes poured in from her employer, TE Connectivity, her alma mater Bucknell University—where she scored 17 goals as a field hockey player before graduating in 2024—and USA Field Hockey. New York Road Runners released a statement expressing profound sadness over her passing during the race’s landmark 50th year in its five-borough format, which drew a record 61,000 finishers. We are deeply saddened by Rachel’s passing after running in Sunday’s race. We send our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and the entire running community, New York Road Runners stated in its release.

Rachel Apa ran the marathon to honor her grandfather

What was Rachel Apa’s goal in running the New York City Marathon?

Apa ran her first marathon to raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation through the Parkinson’s Champions team, honoring her grandfather who passed away from Parkinson’s disease in 2022.

When and where did the medical emergency occur?

The collapse happened on November 1, 2026, near the 39-kilometer mark close to 85th Street inside Central Park during the New York City Marathon.

What official bodies are reviewing the incident?