A 24-year-old marathon runner collapsed and died two miles away from the finish line on Sunday.
Rachel Apa, who was described as being in “perfect health,” was running in her first marathon after training for months. She attended as part of the Parkinson’s Champions team, honoring her late grandfather, who died in 2022 after battling the disease.
“My grandfather was my role model growing up. He taught me to stay active, push limits, and embrace challenges, shaping my love for sports and movement,” the woman said at a fundraiser.
She was the picture of health and physical fitness, having competed as a field hockey player for Bucknell University.
Rachel Apa, 24, died after collapsing in Central Park during her first New York City Marathon, about two miles from the finish. She was running in honor of her late grandfather and had trained for months.
Apa was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she died Sunday night. Her father said she had been in excellent health and that the cause of death was rhabdomyolysis.
VIA: @nypost
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 3, 2026
Perhaps that’s why it’s so surprising that by the 18th mile of the 26.2-mile run, she texted her father, “Ow.” At the 19th mile, she texted, “Ow, ow.”
When she entered the 23rd mile, he encouragingly messaged her “Final stretch,” but the text received so response. She collapsed in Central Park, where a local hospital social worker who had been watching the marathon began immediately providing CPR. She was transported to Mount Sinai but was unfortunately pronounced dead that evening.
Her cause of death was rhabdomyolysis, which is described by the Cleveland Clinic as “a rare muscle injury where your muscles break down. This is a life-threatening condition that can happen after an injury or excessive exercise without rest.”
“This dangerous muscle condition can result from overexertion, trauma, medications, or an underlying health condition. Common signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are weak muscles, muscle stiffness, muscle pain and a change in your pee color,” the webpage reads.
As far as how rare the condition is, only about 26,000 develop it on an annual basis.
X users reacted to the shocking passing:
Long distance running is not good for you. An extensive study showed there was no further health benefits if you slow jogged for 10 minutes every other day. If you want to be healthy, walking and moving throughout the day is optimal.
— Joyim (@cozibrozi) November 3, 2026
RIP. Sadly marathon running requires lots of training, i believe progressive training can limit Rhabdo but still Marathon is a big leap to take for anyone, even elite athletes.
— BlockbyBlock.hood🇨🇦 (@BlockbyBlockAI) November 3, 2026
May she rest in eternal peace.
— Marcie Gaspers (@GGGaspers) November 3, 2026
So tragic. NYC marathon is such a wonderful memory for me when my son ran.
Cannot imagine this for this beautiful girl and her families.🙏🏼❤️🩹🙏🏼
— DT Cahill (@DTCahill) November 3, 2026
I always say that running marathons is rigorous on your body and heart. Underlying issues, diet, potential side effects to medications and vaccines can all be root causes for a young person to collapse and die under this type of intensity. That being said. Don’t do it!
— JA (@JtotheA81) November 3, 2026
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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