Rachel Apa, 24, dies three kilometres from finish at New York City Marathon

Twenty-four-year-old Rachel Apa collapsed and later died during the New York City Marathon after she reportedly suffered extreme exhaustion roughly three kilometres from the finish in Central Park. The runner had been competing in her first marathon and was taking part in the Parkinson's Champions charity to honour her late grandfather.

Race distress and a last message

Family members followed Rachel's progress through a tracking application along the course. Her mother, Mishel, recorded her on the 22nd kilometre, where she appeared smiling and in good spirits. Race coverage reports that problems began in the latter stages of the race.

Around the 29th kilometre Rachel sent a short text to her father, Staf: "It hurts." She replied again a few kilometres later, but when her father sent an encouraging message that only a short distance remained, there was no further response.

Rachel collapsed at about the 38th kilometre. Bystanders and emergency personnel immediately responded; medical staff used a defibrillator at the scene. She was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where doctors battled for hours but pronounced her dead at 21:40.

According to statements from her father, the direct cause of death was rhabdomyolysis — a severe condition triggered by extreme physical exertion in which skeletal muscle breaks down and releases substances such as myoglobin into the bloodstream, potentially causing acute kidney injury and dangerous heart-rhythm problems.

Organisers of the marathon issued condolences to Rachel's family and friends. She is being remembered for her commitment to the charity effort and the run she dedicated to her grandfather, who suffered from Parkinson's disease.

Photo: press material from the event