Bystander tells how she held the hand of runner, 24, who collapsed and died two miles from New York Marathon finish

Rachel Apa, 24, of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, who had played field hockey at Bucknell University, collapsed near mile marker 24 in Central Park during her debut NYC Marathon on Sunday. She died that evening from rhabdomyolysis — a rare condition in which muscle tissue breaks down, flooding the bloodstream with toxic chemicals that can overwhelm the kidneys within hours.

Her father Steve said he had been sending encouragement at every mile from home; her last message, at mile 23, read 'final stretch' — after which she went silent.

Bystander Michaela Nicholas said her fiancé spotted Rachel collapse about 15 yards away and shouted for help; runners and spectators took turns performing CPR until medical personnel reached the scene.

Rachel had been raising money for the Parkinson's Foundation in memory of her grandfather, writing: 'He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges.'