Parkinsons Champions

First-time runner Rachel Apa dies of rhabdomyolysis near NYC Marathon finish

Rachel Apa, 24, died after collapsing two miles from the finish line of the 2026 New York City Marathon. Her father stated she suffered from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition involving muscle breakdown, despite being in perfect health. She was running her first marathon to honor her late grandfather, who had Parkinson's disease. Medical staff used a defibrillator at the scene before transporting her to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m. This is the first runner death at the event since 2024.