24 YO NYC Marathon Runner Rachel Apa's Last Public Post Before Collapsing To Death Resurfaced
Rachel Apa's final public post was a poignant tribute to her late grandfather. Netizens have been sharing condolences in the comments after her untimely death.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleTragedy struck at the 2026 New York City Marathon with the sudden death of a young athlete named Rachel Apa. She was just 24 when she lost her life on November 1, 2026, while running her life's first marathon after months of preparation. Rachel, reportedly a former Bucknell University field hockey player, collapsed and died just two miles from the finish line of the race.
The young, budding talent, who passed away untimely, conversed with her dad in her final moments, expressing pain in her body while her dad continued to motivate her not to give up and complete the race. Notably, her last public post was also about the marathon, which netizens are now revisiting.
Rachel Apa shared that her marathon run was a tribute to her late grandfather in her final public post
Rachel Apa's last public post was on LinkedIn, and it came two months before her much-awaited first NYC marathon run, which also became her last. Her other social media accounts, like Instagram, are reportedly set to private mode, and her final LinkedIn post has been revisited by netizens, who took to the comments to express their heartfelt condolences to her family.
In her final public post, which Rachel shared in September 2026, she expressed excitement about running the NYC Marathon as a charity runner. The former Division 1 student-athlete at Pennsylvania's Bucknell University also announced that she launched a fundraising page and that the funds would support research and better treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease. In her words:
"This November 1st, I'll be running the NYC Marathon as a charity runner with the Parkinson's Foundation. I'll be raising money that goes toward critical research, better care, and hopefully one day, a cure."
Notably, the cause was very personal to Rachel Apa as her grandfather passed away after a battle with the ailment in 2022. She was very close to him, and he was her role model while growing up. Rachel recalled how her grandpa always pushed her to be a better version of herself. She also made poignant remarks about watching him slowly lose the ability to walk and do other things on his own due to the Parkinson's disease.
That is why the 24-year-old wanted to do something for other people going through a similar ordeal. She added that she would be 'so grateful' if people supported her fundraising campaign by donating any amount they could. She hoped her small initiative would be a step toward a future where a cure for Parkinson's would be developed. Talking about losing her loved one to the ailment, Rachel said:
"Choosing a foundation that means something to me was important. My grandfather was one of my role models growing up. He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges. After he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, I watched as it slowly took away the freedom to move that he once loved."
In the LinkedIn post, Rachel Apa also attached a link to the fundraising page, where she set a goal of USD 4000 but impressively, the amount raised went way past the target- USD 49,168.47 as of November 4, 2026.
What was the cause of Rachel Apa's death?
Rachel Apa collapsed in Central Park, about two miles short of the finish line of the NYC Marathon. Despite emergency efforts and being rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, the young runner could not be saved. She was pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m. EST.
Rachel's father, Steve Apa, told The New York Times that his daughter died of rhabdomyolysis, a condition where damaged muscle tissue breaks down and releases its components into the bloodstream. The condition can occur when muscles are extensively damaged and begin to break down, releasing substances into the bloodstream that can cause potentially life-threatening effects.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Rachel Apa's family as they cope with her loss.
Photo courtesy: Rachel Apa/Instagram, LinkedIn
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