Young runner collapses and dies two miles from NYC Marathon finish line

A 24-year-old runner, Rachel Apa, tragically died after collapsing approximately two miles from the finish line of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Apa, a former Division I field hockey player, was competing in her first marathon, running as part of the Parkinson's Champions team in honor of her late grandfather. She collapsed near mile 24 in Central Park and received immediate assistance from bystanders and race medical staff, who performed CPR and used a defibrillator before she was transported to Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Despite efforts by doctors, Apa was pronounced dead later that evening. Her father reported that she was in "perfect health" and attributed her death to rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition where strenuous exercise causes muscle tissue to break down and release harmful substances into the bloodstream, potentially overwhelming the kidneys. The New York City Medical Examiner's office is currently investigating the official cause of death.