Just moments before she collapsed and died near mile 24 of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, Rachel Apa was keeping her father, Steve, updated about her progress.
While tracking his daughter via the marathon’s app from his home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, Steve texted Rachel, 24, words of encouragement at every mile marker.
At mile 18, Rachel texted back, “Ow,” Steve recalled to The New York Times in a story published on Monday, November 2. Rachel texted, “Ow ow,” at mile 19.
“Final stretch,” Steve texted his daughter at mile 23. She never responded. Rachel collapsed soon after near the mile 24 mark in Central Park, close to 84th Street.
While Steve was at home, his wife, Michelle, was in New York City cheering on their daughter from the marathon route. When Rachel’s progress stopped moving on the marathon’s app, Michelle rushed over to mile 24. She arrived just as Rachel was being taken away in an ambulance to Mount Sinai Medical Center. Michelle followed behind in a second ambulance.
Doctors tried to save Rachel’s life for more than six hours but were ultimately unsuccessful. Her cause of death was ruled to be rhabdomyolysis, a medical condition where muscle breaks down rapidly due to exertion.
“It’s unfathomable,” Steve told the Times. “Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old.”
Rachel, who played field hockey at Bucknell University, was running in the New York City Marathon to raise money for Parkinson’s Champions in honor of her late grandfather, who died from the disease.
“My grandfather was one of my role models growing up,” Rachel wrote via LinkedIn before the race. “He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges.”
Bucknell Athletics remembered Rachel in a statement shared Tuesday, November 3. She graduated from the university in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, in 2024.
“Our hearts are broken for the Apa family, and we are deeply sorry for the unimaginable loss of their beautiful daughter, Rachel,” the school said. “The Apas are in the thoughts and prayers of the entire Bucknell Field Hockey family during this incredibly difficult time.”
The statement continued, “Rachel’s spirit will be everlasting; her impact on the people and program will never be forgotten. We hope the Apa family can find some comfort in knowing she helped create something truly special here and will always hold a place in our hearts. We are sending you all our love, strength, and support. Our entire Bucknell Field Hockey family is holding you close in our hearts.”
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