Rare Condition Claims Life of 24-Year-old NYC Marathon Runner
WHO:
Fox News - Apa was working as a product manager for an electrical component company while pursuing an MBA at Charleston Southern University; she began graduate studies there in August.
Fox News - Charleston Southern assistant dean Maxwell Rollins said Apa had written that her mission was to use her talents and opportunities to positively affect others and demonstrate Christ’s love in business and daily life.
Fox News - Charleston Southern president B. Keith Faulkner said the university was supporting the Apa family and others who knew Rachel.
Fox News - Central Penn Field Hockey Club said Apa had been a member for nearly a decade and described her as an intense, determined player who gave 100% and played with a smile.
Fox News - The Parkinson’s Foundation said Apa participated on its Parkinson’s Champions team and that her decision to run was inspired by her grandfather’s loss of mobility.
Daily Mail Sports - Michaela Nicholas said, “I held her hand and told her she wasn't alone.”
Yahoo Health - Michaela Nichols, a hospital social worker, checked Apa’s pulse after she collapsed; three people, including two who said they were physicians, performed CPR.
Yahoo Health - Dr. David Mariuma said rhabdomyolysis can occur even when someone does everything they are supposed to do.
Yahoo Health - Dr. Jessica Tomazic said athletes may push through pain and find it difficult to judge which pain signals warrant stopping.
CNN - Rachel Apa, 24, was a resident of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, and a first-time marathon runner.
CNN - Apa graduated from Bucknell University in 2024, where she played Division I field hockey.
Yahoo Health - Apa’s parents were Steve Apa and Michelle Apa. Her father said she had been in “perfect health.”
CNN - Dr. Doug Farrell, a Mount Sinai nephrologist, and Dr. Jonathan Kim, founding director of Emory Sports Cardiology, discussed marathon-related rhabdomyolysis and deaths; neither was involved in Apa’s case.
Yahoo Health - Dr. David Mariuma, a Stony Brook Medicine nephrologist, and Dr. Jessica Tomazic, a Cleveland Clinic sports and exercise medicine physician, explained rhabdomyolysis and its risks.
WHAT:
Fox News - Apa raised more than $55,000 for Parkinson’s disease research, care and a cure.
CNN - Dr. Jonathan Kim said myocardial infarction, or a heart attack, is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest during a marathon; among younger runners, the second most common cause is unexplained even after an exhaustive cardiac workup.
CNN - Kim said nearly 30 million people ran in races from 2010 to 2023, while runners’ chance of dying from sudden cardiac arrest fell by half; survival for cardiac arrest during running is close to 70%, compared with about 10% for standard out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest.
CNN - Kim advised runners to consult a doctor before a marathon, particularly if they have cardiac risk factors, and to watch for chest tightness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath and a racing heart.
CNN - Kim said milder rhabdomyolysis cases among distance runners may go undetected because muscle breakdown during exercise can be identified through blood tests for muscle enzymes.
CNN - Clusters of rhabdomyolysis cases occurred among college football players in Iowa in 2011 and swimmers in South Carolina in 2007; nine Tufts University men’s lacrosse players were hospitalized in 2024.
NY Post - Madina Alam said she was hospitalized for a week after rhabdomyolysis, and her arms swelled by 12 pounds.
Yahoo Health - A Mount Sinai School of Medicine study found at least one rhabdomyolysis incident among New York City Marathon runners each year from 2017 to 2024, except 2020, when the race was canceled.
Yahoo Health - Rhabdomyolysis can cause dark, tea- or soda-colored urine; symptoms may include unusually severe soreness, weakness, confusion, nausea or general malaise.
Yahoo Health - The article says rhabdomyolysis is more common among men, smokers and people with obesity; rare medication-related cases can involve statins taken at an excessive dose.
Yahoo Health - More than 90% of patients without kidney damage from rhabdomyolysis survive; one study reported a fatality rate above 20% when kidney injury occurs.
CNN - Apa collapsed about two miles before the New York City Marathon finish and died after being taken to a hospital. The medical examiner’s office said it was investigating her death.
Yahoo Health - Her father told The New York Times that rhabdomyolysis caused her death. She was treated for six hours at Mount Sinai Medical Center but could not be saved.
CNN - A bystander performed CPR; race staff used a defibrillator, and paramedics transported Apa to the hospital.
Yahoo Health - Apa texted her father “Ow” at mile 18 and “Ow ow” after the next mile; her parents saw on a tracking app that she had stopped moving after mile 24.
CNN - The marathon had 61,146 finishers, a world record for the largest marathon, according to CNN.
CNN - Farrell’s study found 24 rhabdomyolysis cases among runners at the 2022 marathon, compared with the usual three or four.
Yahoo Health - Cleveland Clinic estimates about 26,000 rhabdomyolysis cases annually in the United States. One study estimates exertion may account for up to 47%.
WHERE:
CNN - Apa collapsed during the New York City Marathon and was taken to a hospital in New York.
Yahoo Health - She was treated at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
WHEN:
Fox News - A report cited by Fox News said Apa was pronounced dead at around 9:40 p.m.
CNN - Farrell’s study documenting the increase in marathon rhabdomyolysis cases was published in April.
WHY:
Fox News - Apa wrote that her grandfather was her role model and that watching Parkinson’s disease take away his freedom of movement motivated her to support research and the Parkinson’s community.
CNN - Apa ran to raise money for Parkinson’s disease in honor of her grandfather, who died from the disease. Her fundraising page said he “taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges.”
CNN - Farrell said heat and humidity likely contributed to the increased rhabdomyolysis cases in 2022. The heat index exceeded 76 degrees, and runners were less acclimated because race day was hotter than the preceding two weeks.
HOW:
CNN - Farrell said marathoners’ core body temperatures can exceed 104 degrees; heat and humidity impede sweat evaporation and cooling, while heat-related muscle breakdown and dehydration can compound the risk.
Yahoo Health - Advice for suspected rhabdomyolysis includes stopping activity, calling for help and seeking shade in hot conditions. During intense activity, experts advised getting electrolytes as well as fluids; excessive plain water can cause hyponatremia.
Yahoo Health - Patients whose kidneys are damaged may receive dialysis; IV fluids are used to help the kidneys clear myoglobin and other substances released by damaged muscles.
Yahoo Health - Rhabdomyolysis occurs when skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly, releasing substances that can damage the kidneys and cause dangerous heart arrhythmias.
CNN - Rhabdomyolysis symptoms can include exhaustion, weakness, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches; severe cases may involve passing out or delirium.
Yahoo Health - Risk factors include dehydration, unaccustomed heat, illness, some genetic conditions, alcohol or drug use, prior heat illness or rhabdomyolysis, and family history. Prevention advice includes gradual training and hydration; treatment commonly involves IV fluids.
(UPDATED November 4, 2026 21:07 UTC)
Runner Rachel Apa died after collapsing near a marathon finish; her father attributed her death to rhabdomyolysis. She was raising money for Parkinson’s research, inspired by her grandfather. Experts warn severe muscle breakdown can damage kidneys; runners should stop when symptoms become concerning.
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(UPDATED November 4, 2026 20:08 UTC)
Rachel Apa, 24, died after collapsing near the finish of the New York City Marathon. Her father said rhabdomyolysis caused her death; the medical examiner is investigating. The muscle breakdown can damage kidneys, and experts warn athletes not to push through severe symptoms.
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(UPDATED November 4, 2026 17:07 UTC)
A first-time marathoner, Rachel Apa, died after collapsing near the New York City Marathon finish. Her father said rhabdomyolysis caused her death; the medical examiner is investigating. The condition breaks down muscle, potentially damaging kidneys; experts advise stopping activity and seeking help.
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(UPDATED November 4, 2026 14:00 UTC)
First-time marathon runner Rachel Apa collapsed near the New York City Marathon finish and died. Her father said rhabdomyolysis caused her death; the medical examiner is investigating. The condition breaks down muscle, potentially damaging kidneys and triggering dangerous heart rhythm problems.