Athletics · New York City and Lewisberry
Runner, 24, dies after collapsing near Central Park in her first New York City Marathon
A 24-year-old woman collapsed on Sunday, 1 November, about two miles from the finish line of the New York City Marathon. She was pronounced dead that evening at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and her father says rhabdomyolysis caused her death.
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In brief
She collapsed at about 13:30 local time on Sunday, 1 November, roughly two miles from the finish, while running her first marathon.
Spectators, including two doctors, performed CPR, and medical personnel used a defibrillator before she was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Steve Apa said his daughter died of rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which muscles break down, and she was declared dead at around 21:40.
The New York Road Runners said they were deeply saddened and extended their sympathies to the family, friends and running community.
- 1 NovRunner collapses near Central Park and spectators, including doctors, begin CPR
- 1 NovWoman is declared dead at Mount Sinai Medical Center
The collapse
A 24-year-old woman collapsed during the New York City Marathon on Sunday, 1 November, roughly two miles (about 3.2 km) from the finish near Central Park. Spectators reached her at around 13:30 local time, and two doctors among them began CPR before medical staff arrived. Medical personnel used a defibrillator, and she was taken by ambulance to Mount Sinai Medical Center. It was her first marathon, a race she had trained for over several months, and she had previously competed in Division I field hockey at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.
Final miles
Her father, Steve Apa, followed her progress on the race app from the family home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, and sent her a message at every mile. Her mother had filmed her at Mile 14 in Queens, smiling as she ran past, and then headed toward Central Park. Around Mile 18 the runner replied 'Ow', and at Mile 19 she wrote 'Ow ow', according to her father's account to The New York Times. She did not answer his messages between Miles 20 and 22 but kept running. At Mile 23 he texted 'Final stretch' and never received a reply. Near Mile 24, close to 85th Street in Central Park, a spectator watched her pass wearing a bib with her first name and cheered her on by name.
Cause of death
Her father told The New York Times that she died of rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which muscle tissue breaks down and the body is poisoned as a result. The Cleveland Clinic says the condition can follow intense physical activity or an earlier trauma, and it can be fatal. The clinic estimates that about 26,000 people in the United States develop it each year. The condition can also lead to life-threatening complications such as acute kidney failure. Steve Apa described his daughter's death in stark terms.
“It's unfathomable. Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old.”
Response and race history
The New York Road Runners, the non-profit that organises the race, said it was deeply saddened by the death. A spokesperson added a message of sympathy to the family and the running community.
“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with the runner's family, friends, and the entire running community,”
She had been raising money for the Parkinson's Foundation in honour of her grandfather, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Her fundraising total had reached $7,656.68 against a $4,000 goal.
- Amount collected
- 7656.68 USD
- Fundraising goal
- 4000 USD
Data from the article text
The last death linked to the race before this one occurred in 2024, when a 24-year-old man who was not identified fell to his death while trying to watch the runners from a window of his Brooklyn apartment, according to the New York Daily News.
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Sources and context
- TelegraafTragic accident during New York marathon: 24-year-old runner dies after collapsingTragisch ongeval tijdens marathon van New York: 24-jarige loopster overleden nadat ze in elkaar zakte · original in Dutch
- The Independent24-year-old dies after collapsing during her first New York City Marathon
- sport.interia.plTragic reports. It was the 41st kilometer of the marathon. 24-year-old is deadTragiczne doniesienia. To był 41. kilometr maratonu. Nie żyje 24-latka · original in Polish
- AdnkronosTragedy at the New York Marathon, 24-year-old girl dies two kilometers from the finish lineTragedia alla maratona di New York, ragazza di 24 anni muore a due chilometri dal traguardo · original in Italian
- Places
- New York City
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