Rachel Apa, a former Division I athlete, died on Nov. 1 after collapsing while running the New York City Marathon. She was 24. The cause of death was rhabdomyolysis, a condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue that can damage organs when proteins enter the bloodstream.
Apa, who played field hockey at Bucknell University, collapsed in Central Park with roughly two miles remaining. Her mother, Michelle Apa, had filmed her looking strong as she passed at mile 14. Later in the race, Apa texted her father, Steve, “Ow,” at mile 18, followed by “Ow, ow” a mile later.
At mile 24, spectator Michaela Nicholas cheered Apa on, then saw her collapse, according to an interview with the New York Times published Nov. 2. Nicholas and three other spectators attempted CPR. Apa was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors tried to save her for six hours before she was pronounced dead.
The New York Road Runners, which organizes the marathon, said it was “deeply saddened” by the death of one of its runners.
Apa had recently started an M.B.A. program at Charleston Southern University. She had also raised money for Parkinson’s Champions, dedicating her first marathon to her grandfather, who died from Parkinson’s disease in 2022. Her fundraising page had collected more than $16,000 for Parkinson’s research.
In her fundraising biography, Apa wrote that her grandfather had taught her to stay active and embrace challenges. She said those lessons continued to motivate her.
Sources: E! News.