Family honors NYC Marathon runner Rachel Apa after fatal collapse

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old runner from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, died on November 1, 2026, after collapsing at mile 24 of the New York City Marathon in Central Park. Medical officials identified rhabdomyolysis, a rare muscular condition, as the cause of death.

Apa, a former Division I field-hockey player at Bucknell University, had been running her first marathon to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research, a cause linked to her grandfather’s illness. At the time of her death she was employed as a product manager at TE Connectivity in Charleston, South Carolina, and was pursuing an MBA at Charleston Southern University.

"With determination, discipline, and a heart fully committed to whatever she pursued, she always found her way to the finish line," the family wrote in an obituary posted online.

The family described Apa as "strong-willed" and noted her love of animals, particularly her dogs, which they called "her forever children." They also mentioned her interest in baking, citing a cookie recipe she had created.

To honor her memory, the family established the Rachel Apa Foundation, aimed at raising awareness of rhabdomyolysis. A GoFundMe campaign for the foundation has raised more than $118,000 and is being used to support the nonprofit’s incorporation and activities.