NYC Marathon Runner Rachel Apa Dies at 24 From Rhabdomyolysis

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old former collegiate athlete participating in her first New York City Marathon, died Nov. 1 after collapsing in Central Park just two miles from the finish line. A former field hockey player at Bucknell University and recent industrial-technology product manager, Apa was running the 26.2-mile course to raise money for Parkinson's research in honor of her late grandfather.

During the event, Apa exchanged text messages with her father, Steve Apa, reporting that she felt great early on but later noting muscle discomfort as the race progressed. Her location tracking app stopped moving near the 24-mile mark. Spectators, including a clinical social worker named Michaela Nicholas, rushed to administer CPR alongside three others before event medical staff arrived with a defibrillator.

Emergency medical workers transported Apa to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. Despite six hours of attempted life-saving medical treatment, she was pronounced dead later that evening. Her father told reporters that doctors attributed her death to rhabdomyolysis, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition.

Rhabdomyolysis occurs when damaged muscle fibers break down rapidly and release their proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream, which can severely harm the kidneys and other organs. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the condition affects approximately 26,000 individuals annually in the United States and can be triggered by intense, unaccustomed exercise without sufficient rest, dehydration, or overheating.

Family members described Apa as being in peak physical condition. "It’s unfathomable," her father stated to the press, noting her active lifestyle and dedication to athletics. Prior to her passing, she had recently relocated to South Carolina to begin an M.B.A. program at Charleston Southern University while working remotely.

Organizers of the event, New York Road Runners, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, noting that the race drew a record number of finishers. Tributes also poured in from Bucknell University, USA Field Hockey, and her employer, TE Connectivity, honoring her athletic legacy and community impact.

In the wake of her passing, donations surged for her fundraising team, the Parkinson's Champions, quickly surpassing her initial goal. The funds support the Parkinson's Foundation, continuing a cause that held deep personal significance for Apa and her family.