Woman, 24, died after Marathon

If you jog around the Marina, run laps at Al Shaheed Park, or you’re training for a 10K in this winter’s cooler weather, this story is worth a pause. It’s a reminder of how heavy, sustained exercise can turn dangerous, even for someone who looks completely fit.

A 24-year-old runner from the United States died after collapsing in the final stretch of the New York City Marathon on Sunday. Her story has been widely reported, and it’s raising fresh questions about how marathons handle medical emergencies, and what runners themselves should watch for in their own bodies.

What happened during the race

Rachel Apa was from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania. She had played field hockey at college and, according to her father Steve Apa, was in what he called “perfect health, perfect shape” before the race.

She was running with the Parkinson’s Champions team, a charity group that raises money for Parkinson’s disease research. Her own grandfather had suffered from the condition, and this run was done in his memory.

Her mother, Michelle Apa, filmed her daughter smiling and looking strong at mile 14. The mood shifted later in the race. At mile 18, Rachel texted her father a single word: “Ow.” A mile further on, she sent: “Ow, ow.” Then, nearing the 23rd mile, she seemed to recover, texting “final stretch.”

Soon after that message, she collapsed, around two miles short of the finish line in Central Park. A member of the public gave her CPR immediately. Race medical staff reached her and used a defibrillator. She was rushed to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where doctors worked to save her. She died that evening at 9.40pm.

What caused her death

Steve Apa told the New York Times that doctors said his daughter died from rhabdomyolysis. This is a rare but serious condition in which muscle tissue breaks down quickly, often triggered by intense physical exertion. The muscle breakdown releases substances into the blood that can damage the kidneys and put pressure on the heart. It’s not common, but it is a known risk in extreme endurance events, especially when combined with dehydration or heat.

“It’s unfathomable,” Steve Apa said, describing how sudden and unexpected his daughter’s death was, given how fit and healthy she had always been.

Rachel had recently started an MBA (a postgraduate business degree) at Charleston Southern University. This marathon was her first.

How the race organiser responded

New York Road Runners, the group that organises the New York City Marathon, released a short statement after her death. “We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our runners following yesterday’s race,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with the runner’s family, friends, and the entire running community.”

The organisers also said the last time a participant died from a medical incident during the race was in 2024.

What this means if you run in Kuwait

Kuwait’s running scene has grown a lot over the past few years, with more people doing early-morning runs along the Gulf Road, joining community running groups, or signing up for charity 5K and 10K events during the cooler months. None of that should stop because of one tragic case abroad. But it’s a fair moment to think about how your own body handles long-distance effort, especially if you’re pushing for a personal best or training for a first big race.

Doctors generally recommend building up mileage slowly, staying properly hydrated before and during long runs, and never ignoring sudden, unusual pain, even if it feels minor at first, the way Rachel’s early texts described simple soreness. Heat is a bigger factor here than in New York, so anyone training outdoors in Kuwait, even in the milder winter months, should be extra careful about hydration and should stop if they feel dizzy, overly fatigued, or if muscles feel unusually sore or swollen after exertion.

If you follow our international news coverage, you’ll know stories like this tend to spark wider conversations about race safety standards, medical support along courses, and how organisers screen and monitor runners during long events. It’s a conversation that matters for any country, including Kuwait, that hosts outdoor runs and endurance events.

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