Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old field hockey player at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa, was running her first New York City Marathon on Sunday when she collapsed approximately two miles short of the finish line of the 26.2-mile race.
As reported by the Daily Express U.S., a bystander and emergency medical personnel performed CPR and deployed a defibrillator before she was rushed to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she died.
According to Apa's father, Steve, the cause of Rachel's collapse and death was rhabdomyolysis, a severe condition where damaged muscle tissue deteriorates and releases harmful substances into the blood that can damage the kidneys and other vital organs.
"Unfathomable. Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old," Apa's father told The New York Times. Steve tracked her progress remotely via an app while her mother and friends supported her along the route.
Earlier that day, Rachel texted an update to Steve that she felt "amazing," Rory Robinson of the Daily Express reported. Later, she started reporting pain to her father around mile 18 before collapsing near East 85th Street in Central Park.
Rachel was running with the Parkinson's Champions team to honor her late grandfather.
