24-year-old runner dies during New York City Marathon

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old runner from Pennsylvania, died after collapsing during her first New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1. Apa was approximately 24 miles (38.6 kilometers) into the 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) race when she fell in Central Park, just about two miles from the finish line. She was running in memory of her late grandfather, who had passed away from Parkinson’s disease.

According to reports citing her father, Steve Apa, the runner had been communicating via text message about physical pain she was experiencing starting around the 18th and 19th mile markers. Her father, who was monitoring her progress remotely from home, sent an encouraging message when she reached the 23rd mile, but received no response. While the official investigation is pending, her father stated that the suspected cause of death is rhabdomyolysis, a severe medical condition often linked to extreme physical exertion that leads to the breakdown of muscle tissue.