Rachel Apa was running her first New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, when she collapsed in Central Park, just over two miles from the finish. The 24-year-old from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, was taken to a hospital, where she later died. Her family, fellow runners and the wider running community are mourning her loss. Associated Press report
Apa’s father, Steve, was following her progress during the race. News reports say she texted him short messages about pain as she moved through the course, including “Ow” and “Ow, ow.” Those messages have since drawn attention, but they offer only a small glimpse of a demanding race and cannot explain what happened medically.
Rachel Apa was running for her grandfather
Apa entered the marathon as part of the Parkinson’s Champions team, raising money in honor of her grandfather, who had Parkinson’s disease and died in 2022. On her fundraising page, she credited him with encouraging her to stay active and take on challenges.
The fundraiser had a $4,000 target, which was surpassed after news of her death spread. Her run connected a personal family tribute with support for people affected by Parkinson’s disease. Associated Press report
A first marathon and a life beyond the course
Apa worked as a product manager in industrial technology and was a former Division I field hockey player at Bucknell University. She graduated from Bucknell in 2024. Her family told reporters that she had trained for the race and appeared to be in good health.
The New York City Marathon covers 26.2 miles across the city’s five boroughs before finishing in Central Park. Apa collapsed as she approached the 24-mile mark, leaving a little more than two miles in the course. Associated Press report
Medical response and cause of death
According to New York Road Runners, a bystander began CPR after Apa collapsed. Race medical staff continued emergency care, used a defibrillator and called for paramedics, who transported her to a hospital. She could not be saved.
Her father told news outlets that doctors attributed her death to rhabdomyolysis, a condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue. However, as of November 3, New York City’s medical examiner was still investigating and had not confirmed an official cause of death. The distinction matters: her family’s account has been reported, but the medical examiner’s investigation remained pending at that time. CBS New York report
Tributes from the running community
New York Road Runners, the nonprofit that organizes the marathon, said it was deeply saddened by Apa’s death and offered condolences to her family, friends and the running community. Bucknell University also remembered her as a member of its field hockey team and extended sympathy to those who knew her.
Her story has prompted an outpouring of support for the Parkinson’s fundraiser she ran to support. While many people first heard of Apa because she collapsed near the finish, her life also included her work, her time as an athlete and the personal cause she chose to carry through the race.
As the medical examiner’s investigation continues, the reported texts should be treated as part of the family’s account—not as a medical explanation. The official cause of death had not been confirmed in the reports available at the time of writing.
What would you like people to remember about Rachel Apa beyond the headlines about her final race?