A 24-year-old woman died after collapsing during the New York City Marathon on Sunday, just over two miles from the finish line, The Associated Press reported.
Rachel Apa, from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, had run nearly 24 miles of the 26.2-mile race when she collapsed. Spectators rushed to help her, with some performing CPR and others trying to comfort her. Paramedics took her to a hospital, but doctors were unable to save her life.
Authorities launched an investigation into the young woman’s death. Meanwhile, her father, Steve Apa, said in an interview that his daughter had suffered from a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis.
What we know about rhabdomyolysis
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rhabdomyolysis occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream. The condition can lead to serious complications, including kidney damage and abnormal heart rhythms. In severe cases, it can be fatal.
Rhabdomyolysis can also affect young, healthy people, particularly those engaged in intense physical activity or heavy physical labor. Other risk factors include extreme heat and traumatic injuries.
Runner’s charity efforts and tributes
Apa, a former college field hockey player, was running her first marathon to raise money for Parkinson’s disease research in memory of her grandfather. Her fundraising campaign had an initial goal of $4,000, which was exceeded after news of her death spread.
New York Road Runners, the organization behind the marathon, expressed condolences to Apa’s family and friends. Bucknell University, her employer and USA Field Hockey also paid tribute to her.
In a separate incident last week, Katie Suarez, a 28-year-old runner from New York, was stabbed in the neck while jogging along the Belt Parkway waterfront in Brooklyn. She died on Monday, and police are working to identify the attacker.
This year’s New York City Marathon marked 50 years since the race expanded to cover all five boroughs. A record 61,000 runners completed the event.
