NYC Marathon runner Rachel Apa told dad ‘I’ve never felt this good’ before collapsing in home stretch

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old woman from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, died on Sunday after collapsing during the final stages of the New York City Marathon. She was about two miles from the finish line in Central Park when she collapsed while running her first marathon. Her father said Rachel had been experiencing pain earlier in the race and sent him texts expressing discomfort. Emergency medical personnel provided CPR and used a defibrillator, but Apa died later at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Apa's death is attributed to rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition linked to intense physical exercise where muscle cells break down, releasing toxic components into the bloodstream and kidneys. She was a former Division I field hockey player at Bucknell University, known for her determination and strength both on and off the field.

The New York Road Runners, who organize the marathon, expressed deep sadness over Apa's death in a statement. Friends and university officials remembered Apa as an inspirational athlete with a strong sense of charity and faith, highlighting her dedication to making a positive impact on others' lives.