PA Woman, 24, Collapses And Dies Miles From Finish Line Of NYC Marathon

A Pennsylvania collegiate athlete running her first marathon collapsed just two miles from the finish line in New York City on Sunday, according to sources. She died later that night.

According to a report by The New York Times, which spoke with the woman's parents, 24-year-old Rachel Apa suffered a fatal case of rhabdomyolysis as a result of the extensive physical activity. She collapsed in Central Park, two miles from the finish line, and was pronounced dead hours later at a New York City hospital.

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Apa, a Lewisberry, Pennsylvania native, played field hockey for Bucknell University, where she graduated in 2024, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Two months ago, Apa had shared an update on LinkedIn sharing she was competing in the New York City marathon to raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation in honor of her grandfather, who died of the disease in 2022. "He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges. After he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, I watched as it slowly took away the freedom to move that he once loved," Apa wrote.

She raised more than $12,000 towards her goal in conjunction with the race.

A video taken by the athlete's mother and shared by The New York Times shows a smiling Apa in mile 14 of the race. She collapsed running mile 24 in Central Park. Bystanders intervened, performing CPR before she was transported to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m., The Times reported.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, rhabdomyolysis is a rare muscle injury in which muscles break down. "This is a life-threatening condition that can happen after an injury or excessive exercise without rest," information from the Cleveland Clinic said.

Symptoms include weak and sore muscles and changes in urine color.

More than 61,000 people raced in the New York City marathon this year, according to race organizers. It is an Abbott World Marathon Major.

The last time an athlete death was reported in the New York City marathon was in 2024, race organizers said in a statement.