The New York City Marathon is supposed to be a celebration of human endurance, but for one family it turned into a nightmare. Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old former college athlete, died on Sunday after collapsing during the race—her first marathon. Her final text to her father, sent just miles before the finish, is now a haunting reminder of how suddenly tragedy can strike.
Apa, a former Division I field hockey player at Bucknell University, had been training for months for the 26.2-mile trek through the five boroughs. Her family watched proudly as she passed Mile 14 in Queens, with her mother capturing a video of her daughter smiling and waving. But by Mile 19, something was terribly wrong.
“Ow ow,” she texted her father. His reply, “Final stretch,” would go unanswered. Apa collapsed in Central Park around 1:30 p.m. ET. Spectators rushed to help, but they couldn't find a pulse. A hospital social worker, Ms. Nicholas, ran over and began CPR alongside two physicians who happened to be nearby. She held Apa’s hand and told her she wasn’t alone.
Medical staff arrived with a defibrillator, and paramedics transported her to a hospital, but it was too late. Her father revealed that Apa died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition triggered by extreme exertion where muscles break down and release toxins into the bloodstream. “It’s unfathomable,” he said. “Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old.”
The New York Road Runners, which organizes the marathon, expressed their condolences in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our runners following yesterday’s race. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with the runner’s family, friends, and the entire running community.” This marks the first death in the NYC Marathon since 2024.
Apa’s story is a stark reminder of the risks that come with extreme endurance sports, even for the fittest among us. For her family, the pain is unimaginable. As they mourn, the running community has rallied around them, sharing memories of a young woman who chased her dreams with a smile.
In the wake of such tragedies, it's important to remember the joy that running brings to so many. The marathon continues to inspire, but it also demands respect for its limits. Our thoughts are with Rachel’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
