A 24-year-old runner collapsed and died in the final stages of the New York City Marathon at the weekend. Rachel Apa's father, Steven, told the New York Times his daughter was 24 miles into the race, in Central Park, when she collapsed and died.
First marathon for charity
It was Rachel's first marathon and she was running to raise money for Parkinson's Champions in honour of her late father who lived with the condition. Steve told the publication his daughter was in "perfect health" and "perfect shape" when she took on the 26.2 mile run.
Steve was in New York on Sunday watching Rachel alongside her mother Michelle. They captured their daughter smiling as she ran past them at mile 14, before receiving a text simply saying "ow" four miles later.
Collapse and medical response
Rachel, of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, texted Steve at mile 18 saying "Ow, ow", before Steve replied to her when she reached the 23rd mile, saying she was in the "final stretch". Rachel however collapsed a mile later.
She was given CPR by members of the public, including two people who said they were physicians. Medical staff rushed over and staff used a defibrillator on Rachel, organisers the New York Road Runners (NYRR) said.
Death and cause
An ambulance arrived shortly afterwards. Despite being taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, Rachel was pronounced dead at 9.40pm on Sunday.
Her father told the New York Times that she is believed to have died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition where the muscles can break down. It can be brought on by heavy exercise.
Steve said: "It's unfathomable. Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old."
Rachel was running her first marathon on Sunday. She previously played Division I field hockey at Bucknell University. Her father says she spent months preparing for the race.
Organisers' response
NYRR said the last time a participant in the marathon died after a medical incident was in 2024. In a statement, it said: "We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our runners following yesterday's race. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with the runner's family, friends, and the entire running community."
