24-year-old Rachel Apa collapsed 2 miles from the NYC marathon finish and died

Key Points:

• Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old woman from Pennsylvania, collapsed near the finish of the New York City Marathon and later died; the cause of death is under investigation but her father cited rhabdomyolysis, a rare muscle breakdown condition.
• Rhabdomyolysis can lead to severe complications such as kidney damage and organ failure, and while rare, cases increased during the 2022 NYC Marathon due to unusually high heat and humidity.
• Experts emphasize that deaths during marathons are extremely rare, with the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest being heart attacks, especially among older runners; rhabdomyolysis-related deaths are very uncommon.
• Marathon survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest have improved significantly due to prompt medical response and availability of defibrillators, with about 70% survival compared to much lower rates outside race settings.
• Runners are advised to monitor for symptoms like chest pain, lightheadedness, and exhaustion, and to consult doctors before marathon training, especially if they have cardiac risk factors; Apa was a first-time marathoner and former Division I athlete running to honor her grandfather.