Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old New York City Marathon runner, told her father she had “never felt this good” shortly before collapsing near the finish line, according to her grieving family.
Apa, who was participating in her first marathon, had been exchanging text messages with her father, Steve Apa, until just minutes before she lost consciousness. Her death was linked to rhabdomyolysis, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue.
Before the race began on Sunday morning, Rachel had expressed her excitement to her father, telling him she was “so excited about it.” Speaking to NBC News, Steve described the devastating loss of his daughter as “unfathomable.”
Runners assembled at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island on Sunday, November 1, 2026, for the 50th edition of the TCS New York City Marathon.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., as Rachel Apa approached the nine-mile mark, she sent her father an upbeat message about how well she was feeling during the race.
“I feel amazing,” she wrote, attributing her energy to the carbohydrates she had consumed before the marathon. “I’ve never felt this good.”
Her father, Steve Apa, who was following her progress from his home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, urged her to pace herself and avoid pushing too hard during her first marathon. He also reminded her that her mother would be waiting to see her near the 14-mile mark.
However, as the race progressed, Rachel’s messages began to reflect the physical strain she was experiencing.
Several miles later, she sent a brief text saying, “Ugh,” prompting her father to reply with encouragement: “You beat the 18.”
Rachel later expressed her discomfort in another message, writing, “Ow, ow.” Concerned, Steve encouraged her to “go easy” and conserve her energy.
When he contacted her again at the 20-mile mark, she repeated the same words: “Ow, ow.”
Steve continued sending supportive messages as his daughter passed miles 21, 22, and 23, reminding her that completing the marathon mattered more than her pace.
“All finish, not speed,” he wrote, encouraging Rachel to focus on reaching the finish line rather than running faster.
Steve Apa continued checking in on his daughter as she reached miles 21, 22, and 23, encouraging her to prioritize finishing the marathon rather than worrying about her speed.
“All finish, not speed,” he reminded her in a supportive text message.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., Steve sent Rachel another message as she approached Mile 24. Shortly afterward, he became concerned when he noticed that her location marker on the race-tracking app had stopped moving.
Meanwhile, Rachel’s mother, Michelle Apa, and several friends were waiting to cheer her on near the 25-mile mark. They also realized that Rachel’s tracked position had remained unchanged.
Growing increasingly worried, Michelle called her husband to find out what was happening. Steve urged her to head toward Rachel’s last known location and look for their daughter.
He then sent Rachel one final text, letting her know that her mother was on her way to find her.
Rachel Apa is pictured posing for a photograph before the tragic incident.
When Michelle Apa reached the area where her daughter had last been tracked, she desperately called out Rachel’s name. An emergency medical services (EMS) worker informed her that Rachel had already been transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
Recognizing the mother’s distress, the emergency responder took Michelle to Mount Sinai Hospital in a second ambulance. Meanwhile, Steve Apa immediately began driving from Pennsylvania to New York after learning what had happened to his daughter.
Tragically, despite efforts to save her life, Rachel Apa died at approximately 9:30 p.m. that evening.
Her death was attributed to rhabdomyolysis, a serious and potentially fatal medical condition in which damaged muscle tissue breaks down and releases substances into the bloodstream, potentially causing severe complications, including kidney damage.
Rachel Apa is pictured in an undated family photograph shared by her loved ones.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can develop following intense physical exertion. It occurs when skeletal muscle tissue breaks down, releasing harmful substances into the bloodstream. These substances can damage the kidneys and, in severe cases, lead to kidney failure and cardiac arrest.
Despite the circumstances surrounding her death, Rachel was no stranger to physical activity. Her father, Steve Apa, described her as a dedicated athlete who had remained active throughout her life.
She previously played field hockey at Bucknell University and maintained a regular exercise routine.
Steve also revealed that his daughter had recently relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, where she was pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree while balancing her studies with a full-time remote job.
Steve Apa remembered his daughter Rachel as an energetic and determined young woman who had been passionate about sports and physical fitness throughout her life. A former field hockey player at Bucknell University, she maintained an active lifestyle and regularly made exercise part of her routine.
“She was always on the go, always go, and it doesn’t matter if it’s school or sports or whatever it is. She was go,” Steve recalled, describing his daughter’s relentless drive and enthusiasm.
Rachel’s decision to participate in the New York City Marathon also carried a deeply personal meaning. She had chosen to run in support of the Parkinson’s Foundation as a tribute to her late grandfather, who had battled the disease.
In a LinkedIn post before the race, Rachel explained how much her grandfather had influenced her life and inspired her determination to take on new challenges.
“My grandfather was one of my role models growing up. He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges,” she wrote.
Her father later explained that although he had never directly asked Rachel why she selected the Parkinson’s Foundation, he believed her decision was connected to the impact the illness had on their family.
“I never asked her why she chose to run for Parkinson’s, but my father, her grandfather, did have Parkinson’s, and she saw how debilitating it was,” Steve said.
