Marathon Collapse Raises Rhabdomyolysis Awareness
Long-distance runners should know the warning signs of this rare but serious muscle condition.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Running
Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old Charleston Southern University student, died after collapsing about two miles from the finish line of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1. Her father said she died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare muscle condition, after six hours of medical treatment. Runners and anyone training for long-distance events are most directly affected by the reminder of this risk.
Why it matters
The death puts a spotlight on rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which damaged muscle releases harmful substances into the bloodstream, and on how quickly a serious collapse can occur during endurance racing. Because the condition is rare, it is often not top of mind for runners, even though it can be triggered by overexertion.
The cause of death comes from Apa's father, not from a published medical report. The figures available are her age of 24, the collapse roughly two miles from the finish, and six hours of treatment before she died.
The players
Charleston Southern University
A private university in North Charleston, South Carolina, where Rachel Apa was a student.
Dr. Michael Mercer
A professor who taught Rachel Apa this semester and was in Tennessee when he learned of her death.
The details
Rhabdomyolysis occurs when muscle tissue breaks down and releases its contents, including myoglobin and potassium, into the bloodstream. These substances can strain the kidneys and disturb the heart's electrical rhythm if not treated quickly. The condition can result from overexertion, trauma, certain medications, or an underlying health condition.
Timeline
Sunday, November 1: Apa collapsed during the New York City Marathon.
Six hours after the collapse: Apa died after doctors attempted to save her life.
Health Landscape
Rhabdomyolysis is recognized as a potential complication of intense endurance exercise, though it remains rare among the many runners who finish marathons. Cases like this one renew attention to how event organizers and runners balance training intensity with warning signs.
If you run long distances, pay attention to warning signs such as unusual muscle pain, weakness, or very dark urine after exertion, and seek care promptly. Worth discussing with your doctor is how to pace training and what symptoms should prompt medical evaluation.
The takeaway
Rhabdomyolysis is rare but can become life-threatening quickly after intense exertion. Runners should know its warning signs and bring any unusual muscle symptoms to a physician's attention without delay.
Further reading
For more on endurance training and race-day health, browse our Running coverage.
