Oldest woman in New York City Marathon dies hours after crossing finish line

New York (CNN) — The oldest female contestant in the 2013 ING New York City Marathon died just hours after completing her 25th consecutive appearance at the race, her daughter says.

Eighty-six-year-old California resident Joy Johnson completed Sunday’s race in just under eight hours. The following afternoon she was resting in her New York City hotel room and never woke up, her daughter Donna Graffis told CNN.

Around mile 20 of the 26.2-mile marathon, at close to 5 p.m., Johnson fell and hit her head, Graffis said. She was brought to the first aid tent, where responders suggested that she go to the hospital.

Graffis said that her mother — who was able to speak coherently and with a clear head — continued on, more determined than ever to finish the run.

Johnson finished with a time of 07:57:41, according to Chris Weiller, a spokesman for the New York Road Runners, the organization that puts on the marathon.

The following morning she ventured to NBC’s “Today Show” with her sister, Faith Anderson, to talk to Al Roker, whom she called “her buddy” after more than a decade of yearly appearances on the show.

After her visit to the Rockefeller Center, Johnson headed back to the Roosevelt Hotel to rest. Around 3 p.m., her sister was not able to wake her up.

It is unclear what the exact cause of death was.