Runner Rachel Apa Dies After Marathon Collapse
The 24-year-old collapsed near the 24-mile mark of the New York City Marathon in Central Park while raising money for Parkinson's research.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Running
Rachel Apa, 24, collapsed during the New York City Marathon on November 1 and was taken to a hospital, where she died. She had been running as part of the Parkinson's Foundation Champions team.
Why it matters
Apa ran the race to honor her grandfather, who died of Parkinson's disease in 2022. Her death has drawn wide attention to the cause she was supporting in New York City and beyond.
Apa's fundraiser collected more than $21,000, over five times her $4,000 goal. The medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of death, so the source of the collapse remains unknown.
The players
Rachel Apa
A 24-year-old runner and Bucknell University graduate who played Division I field hockey and was pursuing an MBA at Charleston Southern University.
Parkinson's Foundation
A nonprofit organization that funds research and support services for people living with Parkinson's disease.
The details
Apa collapsed near the 24-mile mark of the 26.2-mile race in Central Park, just over two miles from the finish line. Emergency responders transported her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Timeline
2022: Apa's grandfather dies of Parkinson's disease.
2024: Apa graduates from Bucknell University.
November 1, 2026: Apa collapses during the New York City Marathon.
November 3, 2026: Donations to her fundraiser surpass $21,000.
Track Record
Apa's campaign through the Parkinson's Foundation Champions program raised more than five times its goal, a pattern of marathon fundraising that has become central to how the foundation funds research. Her death during the race adds a personal and public dimension to that model.
Runners entering long-distance races are encouraged to know the warning signs of cardiac distress and to listen to race medical staff. Fundraising pages for Apa's campaign remain a way for readers to support Parkinson's research.
The takeaway
Apa's fundraising effort shows how a single runner's personal story can mobilize support for a disease cause at scale. Readers interested in Parkinson's research can contribute through the foundation's official channels.
Further reading
For more on race-day safety and training, see Running coverage.
