24-year-old dies near end of New York City Marathon

A 24‑year‑old woman died after collapsing in the final stages of Sunday’s New York City Marathon, her father said. The Guardian reported that Rachel Apa’s father, Steve Apa, told the New York Times his daughter collapsed in Central Park, about two miles from the finish line. It was her first marathon and she was running for the Parkinson’s Champions team in honor of her late grandfather, who suffered from the disease. Steve Apa said his daughter died from rhabdomyolysis, a condition that can result from extreme muscle breakdown. The Guardian noted that Apa had been a former college athlete in “perfect shape.” The incident occurred in the race’s closing miles, prompting concerns about the health risks even fit runners face during long‑distance events.

Why it matters

The death highlights that severe medical complications such as rhabdomyolysis can affect even well‑conditioned, first‑time marathon participants.

Key details

Location

United States · Americas

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

3 Nov 2026, 18:06 IST

Key names

York City Marathon, Rachel Apa, Runner, Sunday’s New York City

Section

Sports

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The Guardian24-year-old woman dies after collapsing in final stages of New York City Marathon 3 Nov, 18:06

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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