Rachel Apa, from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, was competing in the Sunday race with the Parkinson's Foundation Champions to raise money. She dedicated the run to her grandfather, who had battled the disease.

Despite having trained for months, Apa collapsed near mile marker 24 in Central Park. According to her father, Steve Apa, she was in "perfect health, perfect shape" prior to the race.

He told The New York Times that his daughter died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition triggered by overexertion where muscle tissue breaks down and poisons the bloodstream.

Before her tragic passing, around mile 18, she texted her father a simple "Ow," followed by "Ow ow" a mile later, before a final message at the 23rd mile reading, "final stretch."

Shortly after sending that message, Apa collapsed. A nearby bystander performed CPR before race medical personnel arrived on the scene, CBS News reported.

Rachel Apa before her first race at the 2026 New York City Marathon. Photo by Instagram/@rachelapa

According to a statement from the New York Police Department, the young runner was taken to a hospital in critical condition. She passed away later that night.

The city medical examiner's office confirmed that it is still investigating her cause of death.

"We are deeply saddened by Rachel's passing following running in Sunday's race. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with her family, friends, and the entire running community," New York Road Runners, the race organizers, said in a statement.

Apa graduated from Pennsylvania's Bucknell University in 2024 with a business degree. During her time at the university, she competed as a field hockey player. Since graduating, she has worked as a product manager at an industrial technology company.

Ahead of the marathon, Apa wrote a tribute on her fundraising page detailing how much her grandfather meant to her.

"My grandfather was my role model growing up," she wrote. "He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges, shaping my love for sports and movement.

"I watched as the disease slowly took away the freedom to move that he once loved so much. The lessons he taught me continue to drive me forward."

More than 61,000 people participated in this year's New York City Marathon, breaking the world record for the largest marathon for the third consecutive year.