Heartbreaking final messages NYC Marathon runner sent before death
The 24-year-old former college field hockey player was pronounced dead at a New York hospital after collapsing in Central Park - not far from the finish line of Sunday's race.
TL;DR
- Rachel Apa, 24, collapsed and died near the finish line of the New York City Marathon.
- The cause of death was rhabdomyolysis, a condition linked to excessive exercise.
- Apa sent her father text messages indicating pain starting at Mile 18 of the race.
- Medical staff and paramedics attempted to save her, but she was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Medical Center.
- This is the first runner fatality in the New York City Marathon since 2024.
- Apa was running to raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation in memory of her grandfather.