Lewisberry Runner Dies During New York City Marathon

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old resident of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, died during the New York City Marathon on Sunday. She collapsed in the final stages of the race in Central Park and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Medical Center at 9:40 p.m.

Apa had previously competed in Division I field hockey at Bucknell University. This was her first marathon, and she ran the 26.2-mile course to raise money for Parkinson’s Champions in memory of her late father, who lived with the condition.

Her father, Steven Apa, said his daughter was in perfect health and shape before the event. He had been in New York on Sunday with her mother, Michelle, to watch her run. The family captured video of Rachel smiling as she passed them at mile 14.

At mile 18, Rachel texted her father a message that read "Ow, ow." Steven replied later, telling her she was in the final stretch as she reached the 23rd mile. She collapsed one mile after that message.

Members of the public, including two physicians, performed CPR on Rachel at the scene. Medical staff arrived and used a defibrillator. An ambulance transported her to the hospital shortly after.

Steven Apa said that Rachel is believed to have died from rhabdomyolysis. This rare condition involves muscle breakdown triggered by intense physical exertion. He described the loss as unfathomable given her age and health.

The New York Road Runners, the race organizers, confirmed that the last marathon participant death following a medical incident was in 2024. The organization issued a statement expressing deep sadness for the runner’s family, friends, and the running community.