The strangers had to act quickly, relying on one another as they waited for professional medical assistance.

The November 1 marathon drew runners across New York City’s five boroughs. As Apa lay unresponsive near the end of the course, a hospital social worker stayed beside her and later revealed a deeply personal moment from the rescue. | Source: Getty Images

“We worked as a team to do whatever we could to help Rachel,” Nicholas told FOX 5 New York. But Apa remained unresponsive despite their efforts. “They tried everything, and she was not responding,” Nicholas said.

As the rescue continued, Nicholas noticed something on Apa’s wrist that prompted her to offer comfort in a different way.

A Small Detail on Rachel Apa’s Wrist Moved a Stranger to Pray

Nicholas spotted a bracelet with a cross on Apa’s wrist while staying close to the young runner. The religious symbol prompted a quiet, personal response amid the emergency.

Thousands of runners filled the streets during the 2026 marathon. For Nicholas, the effort to save Apa included an unexpected moment of faith after she noticed something on the runner’s wrist. | Source: Getty Images

“And so I said a prayer for her,” Nicholas recalled during her FOX 5 NY interview. She also described rubbing the cross, hoping Apa would recover.