New York City marathon runner Rachel Apa died on Sunday after collapsing at mile 24.
Apa, 24, set out to run the world-famous race on Nov. 1 for the first time, along with more than 60,000 other runners.
The former Bucknell University Division I field hockey player had reportedly trained for the marathon for months. The New York Times reported details from the runner’s parents, Michelle and Steve Apa, on Monday.
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Michelle Apa said she watched her daughter run by at mile 14 in Long Island City, Queens. She took a video of Apa looking strong, smiling and giving out high-fives before taking off again.
The runner’s mother then headed toward the finish line, planning to wait for her daughter at mile 25 in Central Park.
Steve Apa was back home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, sending his daughter supportive texts at every mile as he tracked her in the New York Road Runners app.
Rachel Apa reportedly texted her father back at mile 18, saying, “Ow.” And once again at mile 19, “Ow ow.”
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At mile 23, Steve Apa texted, “Final stretch.” Rachel Apa never responded again, according to The New York Times.
Spectator Michaela Nicholas reportedly witnessed Apa pass by in her matching green shorts and tank top near mile 24 in Central Park. She cheered Apa on with only two miles to go. Seconds later, at around 1:30 p.m., Apa collapsed.
Nicholas, who is a hospital social worker, ran over to help and declared that Apa did not have a pulse. After Nicholas’ fiancée called for a doctor, two people who claimed to be physicians hopped in, taking turns administering CPR. Nicholas said she held Apa’s hand the whole time.
The New York Road Runners, the marathon organizers, told the Times that marathon medical staff arrived soon after and used a defibrillator to try to revive Apa. Paramedics then arrived with an ambulance.
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After realizing Apa was not moving in the tracking app, Michelle Apa reportedly headed to her daughter’s location. When she arrived, the ambulance transporting her daughter was pulling away.
Michelle Apa was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where doctors worked to save Rachel Apa’s life for more than six hours. She was declared dead at around 9:40 p.m., according to the report.
Steve Apa told The New York Times that his daughter’s cause of death was rhabdomyolysis, a rare muscle condition that occurs after injury, severe dehydration and overheating, or, most typically, excessive, high-intensity exercise without rest.
“It’s unfathomable,” he said. “Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old.”
The condition, also known as rhabdo, causes the muscles to break down when over-exerted, which leads to muscle death, according to Cleveland Clinic.
When this disintegration occurs, toxic components of the muscle fibers can enter the circulatory system and kidneys, which can cause kidney damage, essentially acting as poison to the body.
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Common signs of rhabdo include weak muscles, muscle stiffness and swelling, muscle pain and a change in urine shade, closer to a brown, red or tea color. It can also lead to nausea, dehydration and loss of consciousness.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, typically developing one to three days after the muscle injury.
The condition is life-threatening, as physicians encourage listening to your body and seeking medical attention immediately.
“If you feel especially sore or tired during a workout, stop and rest,” Cleveland Clinic recommends. “Don’t push yourself beyond safe limits.”
“[Stay] hydrated and avoid getting overheated. Take breaks in the shade if you’re doing physical activity in the heat.”
The New York Road Runners told the Times that the last marathon death occurred during a medical incident in 2024.
In a statement responding to Apa’s death, the organization 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.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the New York Road Runners and Apa’s family for comment.
Rachel Apa was working as a product manager for an electrical component company while working on receiving her MBA at Charleston Southern University, according to the report.
She was running to raise money to fight Parkinson’s disease, in honor of her late grandfather.
On the Parkinson’s Champions fundraising website, Apa wrote what her grandfather meant to her.
“My grandfather was my role model growing up,” she said. “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.”
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She added, “I’m proud to run with Parkinson’s Foundation Champions to raise funds and awareness for research, better care and a cure.”
Rachel Apa raised more than $13,000 and counting for the cause.
