A 24-year-old runner and former college field hockey athlete died after collapsing near the end of Sunday’s New York City Marathon, with her death later confirmed at a nearby hospital.
Rachel Apa fell in Manhattan’s Central Park at approximately 1:30 p.m., The New York Times reported. Michaela Nicholas, a social worker at a hospital, immediately went to help and said she could not detect a pulse. Two doctors among the spectators then took turns providing CPR, according to Nicholas.
Medical personnel from the marathon soon arrived with a defibrillator, race organizer New York Road Runners said. An ambulance followed and transported Apa to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where doctors worked for six hours to revive her. Her father said she was pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m.
Steve Apa told The Times that his daughter died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare and potentially fatal condition in which skeletal muscle rapidly breaks down and releases harmful substances into the bloodstream.
“It’s unfathomable,” Steve said. “Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old.”
“We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our runners following yesterday’s race,” the Road Runners said in a statement. “Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with the runner’s family, friends, and the entire running community.”
Rachel Apa collapsed in Manhattan’s Central Park at about 1:30 p.m. while competing in the marathon
The 24-year-old former Bucknell field hockey player died at Mount Sinai Medical Center at 9:40 p.m.
The Bucknell University graduate had spent months preparing for the race, which she entered to raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation Champion.
Her mother, Michelle, watched from the course and filmed Rachel smiling at Mile 14 in Queens. Rachel was also exchanging messages with her father, Steve, who was back home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, sending encouragement as she ran, The New York Times reported.
Steve received a short message from his daughter when she reached Mile 18.
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“Ow,” Rachel wrote, followed by “Ow ow” a mile later.
At Mile 23, she sent one final message: “final stretch.” Steve did not hear from her again.
Nicholas told The Times that she continued holding Rachel’s hand after the collapse, wanting the runner to feel that she was not alone.
Michelle was making her way to Central Park, expecting to see her daughter complete the race. But the marathon tracking app showed Rachel had unexpectedly stopped at Mile 24.
She reached the scene as Rachel was being taken away by ambulance and later followed her daughter to the hospital in another ambulance.
Runners make their way through Central Park during the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon
NYRR said Rachel was the first runner to die during the New York City Marathon since 2024. The organization also recalled the death of Ryan Shay, a five-time U.S. national champion who suffered a fatal cardiac event in Central Park during the 2007 Olympic marathon trials. The trials were held by NYRR one day before that year’s New York City Marathon.
Apa worked as a product manager for an electrical components company while pursuing an MBA at Charleston Southern University. She had dedicated her marathon fundraising efforts to Parkinson’s disease, the illness that led to her grandfather’s death in 2022.
“My grandfather was my role model growing up,” Rachel wrote online. “He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges, shaping my love for sports and movement. Later in life, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and I watched as the disease slowly took away the freedom to move that he once loved so much. He passed away in 2022, but the lessons he taught me continue to drive me forward.”
‘I’m proud to run with Parkinson’s Foundation Champions to raise funds and awareness for research, better care, and a cure.’
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