A 24-year-old athlete from Pennsylvania, Rachel Apa, has died after collapsing during her first participation in the New York City Marathon, just over two miles before the finish line.
According to international media reports, Rachel was running the 26.2-mile race to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research.
She collapsed near the 24th mile inside Central Park, shortly before reaching the finish line. A bystander immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), followed by emergency medical assistance from the race’s medical team, which also used a defibrillator.
Rachel was subsequently rushed to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where doctors made efforts to save her life for several hours. However, she could not survive.
Her father, Steve Apa, said Rachel had suffered from rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue that can release harmful substances into the bloodstream, following intense physical exertion.
Rachel was a former field hockey player at Bucknell University. She had decided to participate in the marathon in memory of her late grandfather.
Bucknell University and US field hockey officials expressed deep sorrow over her death and paid tribute to the young athlete.