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New York City Marathon runner Rachel Apa, 24, texted her father 'Ow' before collapsing and dying two miles from the finish

Rachel Apa had been running to raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation in honour of her grandfather, who died of the disease in 2022.
Rachel Apa had been running to raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation in honour of her grandfather, who died of the disease in 2022.

Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old former Bucknell University field hockey player, collapsed in Central Park at mile 24 of her first-ever New York City Marathon and was rushed to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where doctors battled to save her for six hours before pronouncing her dead at 9.40pm Sunday. Her father Steve, tracking her from Pennsylvania, texted 'Final stretch' at mile 23 — it went unanswered.

Apa was running to raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation in honour of her grandfather, who died of the disease in 2022.

She died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which skeletal muscle rapidly breaks down and poisons the bloodstream and kidneys.

Steve Apa called his daughter's death 'unfathomable', saying she had been in 'perfect health, perfect shape' before the race.

MoreDaily MailNew York City Marathon runner, 24, dies 2 miles from finish lineAOL News UK24-year-old woman dies after collapsing in final stages of New York City MarathonNY PostNYC Marathon runner Rachel Apa died from rare rhabdomyolysis, which causes muscles to disintegrate and poison the bloodCBS NewsNYC Marathon runner dies after medical incident, race officials sayNY PostNYC Marathon runner Rachel Apa sent heartbreaking final text before dying on race dayNY PostNYC Marathon runner Rachel Apa dies after collapsing in Central Park two miles from finish lineNYTRunner, 24, Dies During Her First MarathonWashington TimesNew York City marathoner collapses two miles from finish line, dies in hospital
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