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Runner, 24, texted her father 'Ow ow' before dying of a rare muscle condition in her first New York marathon

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 Division I field hockey player from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, told her father she had "never felt this good" just hours before she collapsed at mile 24 of the New York City Marathon on Sunday — her first time running the race. She had been raising money for the Parkinson's Foundation in honour of her grandfather and had surpassed her $4,000 fundraising goal.

Rhabdomyolysis causes muscles to disintegrate and flood the bloodstream with toxins, overwhelming the kidneys and causing organ failure within hours.

Her mother Michelle was waiting at mile 25 when Rachel's dot stopped moving on the tracking app; an EMS worker took her to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:40pm.

Experts warn rhabdomyolysis's early signs — swelling, weakness and dark urine — are easy to dismiss, making it a silent killer for elite athletes.

MoreDaily MailNYC marathon runner killed by silent condition. Experts expose signsBBC News - HealthYoung NYC Marathon runner collapses and dies two miles from finish lineThe Independent24-year-old dies after collapsing during her first New York City MarathonToronto SunWoman, 24, dies 3km from finish line of NYC MarathonAPA woman running the NYC marathon for charity dies 2 miles from the finishNYTRunner, 24, Dies During Her First MarathonFox NewsHealthy 24-year-old athlete dies just 2 miles from NYC marathon finish line after sending dad chilling textsNY PostNYC Marathon runner Rachel Apa was lifelong athlete, ‘always on the go’ before dying from rhabdomyolysisNY PostNYC Marathon runner Rachel Apa told dad ‘I’ve never felt this good’ before collapsing in home stretchNY PostNYC Marathon runner Rachel Apa died from rare rhabdomyolysis, which causes muscles to disintegrate and poison the bloodDaily RecordWoman, 24, dies after collapsing during New York City Marathon
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