NYC Marathon Runner Dies After Collapsing in Central Park

Rachel Apa, 24, collapsed in Central Park two miles from the finish line of the New York City Marathon and later died from rhabdomyolysis, according to her father.

Apa was participating in her first marathon, running as part of the Parkinson’s Champions team in honor of her late grandfather, who died from the disease in 2022.

Her father, Steve Apa, stated she was in 'perfect health, perfect shape' before the race, and her mother, Michelle Apa, was supporting her in New York.

Apa texted her father messages of concern at the 18th and 19th mile markers but did not respond to his final message at the 23rd mile. She collapsed shortly after, prompting CPR from a spectator.

The runner was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she died at 9:40 p.m. Her father described the event as 'unfathomable.'

Rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition where muscles break down and disintegrate, affects around 26,000 people in the U.S. annually, according to the Cleveland Clinic.