Rachel Apa was nearing the end of her first New York City Marathon when she collapsed in Central Park on Sunday, November 1. The 24-year-old had spent months putting in the work needed to conquer 26.2 miles, but never made it across the finish line. Instead, she was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she died later that night.
Apa, a Bucknell University alum who lived in central Pennsylvania, came to New York to run with Parkinson's Foundation Champions, raising money in memory of her grandfather, who died from the disease in 2022. According to reporting from The New York Times, the medical emergency happened around 1:30 p.m. close to Mile 24, around 85th Street, right as runners enter the final stretch through Central Park. Several spectators rushed to help and began performing CPR.
New York Road Runners medical staff arrived shortly after, and tried to resuscitate her with a defibrillator before paramedics took her to the hospital. Her parents had been keeping up with Rachel throughout the race as she made her way through the five boroughs, though from different locations. Michelle Apa, her mother, was in New York and watched Rachel run through Queens at Mile 14, while Steve Apa, her father, was back home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, following her progress through the marathon's tracking app.
Steve had been texting his daughter throughout the day. According to messages he shared with the Times, Rachel sent an "Ow" text at Mile 18, followed by a double "Ow ow" at Mile 19. She kept moving through the course, although her dad received no replies after that.
As she reached Mile 23 on the app, Steve sent another message: "Final stretch." Rachel never responded. Michelle eventually made her way to Central Park, reportedly arriving just as the ambulance carrying her daughter was leaving, per the Times. Doctors spent hours trying to save Rachel.
Steve told the newspaper she was pronounced dead around 9:40 p.m. "It's unfathomable," he told the newspaper. "Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old." Steve told the Times that his daughter died from rhabdomyolysis, which occurs when damaged muscle tissue breaks down and releases substances into the bloodstream.
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