Father shares final texts from 24-year-old runner who collapsed during NYC marathon

Father shares final texts from 24-year-old runner who collapsed during NYC marathon

Father shares final texts from 24-year-old runner who collapsed during NYC marathon

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old former college field hockey player from Pennsylvania, died after collapsing in Central Park during her first New York City Marathon, about two miles from the finish line. Her father, Steve Apa, followed the race from home through the tracking app and texted her at every mile. She told him early on that she had never felt better, but at mile 18 she texted back simply 'Ow', and again at mile 19. When she reached mile 23 he sent her a message reading 'Final stretch' — it went unanswered. Bystanders gave her CPR at the scene before she was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she died that night. Her father said doctors blamed rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which muscle tissue breaks down.

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old former college field hockey player from Pennsylvania, died after collapsing in Central Park during her first New York City Marathon, about two miles from the finish line. Her father, Steve Apa, followed the race from home through the tracking app and texted her at every mile. She told him early on that she had never felt better, but at mile 18 she texted back simply 'Ow', and again at mile 19. When she reached mile 23 he sent her a message reading 'Final stretch' — it went unanswered. Bystanders gave her CPR at the scene before she was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she died that night. Her father said doctors blamed rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which muscle tissue breaks down.

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old former college field hockey player from Pennsylvania, died after collapsing in Central Park during her first New York City Marathon, about two miles from the finish line. Her father, Steve Apa, followed the race from home through the tracking app and texted her at every mile. She told him early on that she had never felt better, but at mile 18 she texted back simply 'Ow', and again at mile 19. When she reached mile 23 he sent her a message reading 'Final stretch' — it went unanswered. Bystanders gave her CPR at the scene before she was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she died that night. Her father said doctors blamed rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which muscle tissue breaks down.