Rachel Apa collapsed near the 24-mile mark of the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1, 2026, before doctors at Mount Sinai Hospital confirmed her death hours later.
On this Sunday, a young athlete suffered a medical emergency while participating in a marathon in New York, United States, as local media reported.
The final miles in Central Park
Apa was participating in her first marathon when she suffered a medical emergency just two miles short of the finish line in Central Park, El País reported. The 24-year-old athlete from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, had maintained text contact with her family during the race.
She was a former Division I collegiate field hockey player, according to NBC News and Telemundo New York. Her father described the situation as “inconcebible,” as reported by NBC News.
El País reported that preliminary medical assessments pointed to fulminant rhabdomyolysis as the cause of death, though the official medical examiner’s investigation remained ongoing. Steve Apa recounted that his wife, Michelle Apa, and two of their daughter’s friends spent Sunday traveling across the five boroughs of New York to track Rachel Apa as she ran her inaugural marathon.
Steve Apa said that he spoke with his daughter prior to the start of the race and that she was “muy emocionada,” according to NBC News.
Just two miles from the NYC Marathon finish line, 24-year-old runner Rachel Apa suddenly collapses and never makes it home. Rachel Apa, a former college field hockey player, had spent months training for her first marathon when she collapsed in Central Park. Her father tracked… pic.twitter.com/dbUPdQP9qO
“Ugh,” Rachel Apa texted her father after passing mile 18, according to Telemundo New York. Steve Apa mentioned that his wife saw their daughter run quickly past mile 14 before Rachel Apa sent a message a few miles later stating “Ugh.” “Ya superaste la milla 18,” he replied to her. When she replied “Ay, ay” to subsequent text messages, her father advised her to take it easy.
Upon reaching mile 20, Steve wrote to her again and she replied “Ay, ay” once more. He continued sending messages during miles 21, 22, and 23.
Reaching mile 23, he messaged her: “Lo importante es terminar, no la velocidad.” Around 1:30 p.m., as she neared the 24th mile, her location on the tracking app stopped moving. At that time, her mother and Rachel’s friends were waiting for her at mile 25 and also noticed her location remained stationary.
Spectators and staff responded to medical emergencies
Spectators near the course attempted initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation before race medical staff arrived with a defibrillator, El Tiempo reported. New York Road Runners confirmed that over 61,000 runners participated in the race, which exceeded its fundraising goal of $100 million for charitable causes.
Specifically, 61,529 people from 153 countries took part in the marathon, as detailed on the organization’s official website. Apa had run to raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation in honor of her grandfather, infobae reported.
Muscle tissue breakdown causes kidney failure
Medical specialists indicate that rhabdomyolysis occurs when severe physical exertion causes rapid muscle tissue breakdown. This destruction releases proteins and electrolytes such as myoglobin into the bloodstream.
When myoglobin accumulates quickly, it can obstruct renal tubules and trigger acute kidney failure. Sports medicine experts emphasize that early symptoms like severe muscle pain, extreme weakness, and dark urine are frequently mistaken for standard athletic exhaustion.
Questions about marathon medical safety
What caused Rachel Apa’s collapse during the race?
Preliminary medical reports cited by her family pointed to rhabdomyolysis triggered by extreme physical exertion, though the New York City medical examiner’s office continued its official investigation.
Where did the medical emergency occur?
Apa collapsed near the 24-mile mark in Central Park during her first appearance in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1, 2026.
What are the primary warning signs of rhabdomyolysis?
Medical experts note disproportionate limb pain, severe physical weakness, and dark brown urine as critical indicators requiring immediate intravenous fluid therapy.
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner said that inquiries into the exact sequence of medical events remain underway.
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