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First-Time Marathon Runner Dies During Race
Confirmed
In Short: While dozens of runners have been treated for rhabdomyolysis during the NYC Marathon, there appears to be no data on deaths during marathons from the condition.
Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old runner competing in her first marathon, collapsed near Mile 24 of the New York City Marathon on Sunday and later died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition where muscles break down and release toxic proteins into the bloodstream.
According to her father, Steve Apa, Rachel had been in perfect health and shape, and she had been training for months for the marathon.
Steve Apa said he had been exchanging text messages with Rachel throughout the race, with her responding with 'Ow, ow' at Mile 19 and 'I feel amazing' at Mile 9.
New York Road Runners stated that CPR was first administered by a bystander before their medical staff took over, continuing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator.
Rachel was running the marathon to raise money for Parkinson’s disease research, in honor of her late grandfather who had the disease.
The New York City Marathon has not seen a runner die from a medical incident since 2024, according to the New York Road Runners.
What's confirmed
- Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old runner competing in her first marathon, collapsed near Mile 24 of the New York City Marathon on Sunday and later died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition where muscles break down and release toxic proteins into the bloodstream.
- According to her father, Steve Apa, Rachel had been in perfect health and shape, and she had been training for months for the marathon.
- Steve Apa said he had been exchanging text messages with Rachel throughout the race, with her responding with 'Ow, ow' at Mile 19 and 'I feel amazing' at Mile 9.
- New York Road Runners stated that CPR was first administered by a bystander before their medical staff took over, continuing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator.
- Rachel was running the marathon to raise money for Parkinson’s disease research, in honor of her late grandfather who had the disease.
- The New York City Marathon has not seen a runner die from a medical incident since 2024, according to the New York Road Runners.
What's still developing
- "We are deeply saddened by Rachel's passing following running in Sunday's race. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with her family, friends, and the entire running community," New York Road Runners said in a statement.
- He opted to follow along on the app from home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania.
- “I feel amazing,” she then wrote, chalking it up to her pre-race carb-loading, according to her dad.
- About 26,000 people in the U.S. develop rhabdo each year and runners are at a higher risk, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
- While dozens of runners have been treated for rhabdo during the NYC Marathon, according to a 2022 study, there appears to be no data on deaths during marathons from the condition.
- That year, an unidentified 24-year-old man fell to his death after trying to watch the runners from his Brooklyn apartment’s window, according to the New York Daily News.