Runner dies after collapsing at New York City Marathon
Rachel Apa, 24, died on Sunday after collapsing in Central Park about two miles from the New York City Marathon finish line. Spectators, including two doctors, began CPR before medical crews arrived with a defibrillator. She was taken by ambulance to Mount Sinai Medical Center and declared dead at around 9:40 p.m. Her father, Steve Apa, said she died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare muscle condition caused by intense exertion. She had been running for the Parkinson's Champions team in memory of her grandfather.
Key facts
- Her tracking app indicated she reached mile 23, after which she stopped responding.
- CPR began at around 1:33 p.m., seven minutes before medical crews arrived.
- She was taken by ambulance to Mount Sinai Medical Center at 1:50 p.m.
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Why it matters
A rare exertion-related condition has been named as the cause of death of a young runner during a major race.
What changed
First published from Hindustan Times, The Guardian, The Times of India, The Independent and Yahoo Sports