Who Was Rachel Apa? 24-Year-Old Dies 2 Miles From Finish Line In Marathon Dedicated To Late Grandpa
Rachel Apa was just two miles away from the finish line during Sunday's marathon when she suddenly collapsed and was pronounced dead hours later. She was running to honor her late grandfather.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleSunday's New York City Marathon brought an unexpected tragedy with the sudden death of a young athlete. Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old former college field hockey player, was running her life's first marathon after months of preparation in tribute to her late grandfather. However, what was meant to be a meaningful personal milestone ended in tragedy when she collapsed in Central Park, just two miles from the finish line.
Rachel was taking part in Sunday's 26.2-mile race as a member of the Parkinson's Champions team. She had spent months preparing for the challenge, hoping to turn her love of sports and movement into a tribute to someone who had played an important role in shaping her life.
Rachel Apa had been preparing for her first marathon in honor of her late grandfather
Rachel was a former field hockey player at Pennsylvania's Bucknell University. Her passion for sports began at a young age, and she credited her grandfather for inspiring her to be active, to confront challenges, and to push herself beyond her capacities. Her decision to run for the Parkinson's Champions team was therefore about much more than completing a marathon.
Rachel wanted to honor her grandfather's memory while supporting a cause connected to his life. In a fundraising message ahead of the marathon, she opened up about the influence he had on her life. She wrote:
"My grandfather was my role model growing up. He taught me to stay active, push limits, and embrace challenges, shaping my love for sports and movement."
Rachel's reason for running in the New York City Marathon was her relationship with her grandfather. She wanted her first marathon to be a reflection of the lessons he taught her, but taking on a 26.2-mile race was a big challenge, even for someone athletic. But the 24-year-old was prepared.
She trained for months to get her body ready for the tough circuit before Sunday's competition. Rachel's father, Steve Apa, told The New York Times that his daughter had been in excellent health and physical condition going into the race and the family had every reason to believe she was ready for the challenge.
Rachel's parents were also very much a part of her marathon journey. Her mother, Michelle Apa, travelled to New York to cheer her on, while her father followed her progress through the marathon tracking app from Pennsylvania.
Rachel Apa's family supported her marathon journey
Both of Rachel's parents were following their daughter's first-ever marathon in their own way. While Michelle was physically present in New York, Steve kept checking the tracking app to see how far his daughter had travelled. Michelle even recorded a video of her daughter smiling as she reached the 14th mile.
Rachel looked like she was having a good time and moving toward her goal. As she neared the finish line, her father continued to send her encouraging texts. But he was getting worried when she stopped replying. The young runner eventually collapsed in Central Park, about two miles short of the finish of her first marathon. Despite emergency efforts and being rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, she could not be saved. She was pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m. EST.
Rachel's father later told The New York Times that doctors attributed her death to rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs as a result of rapid breakdown of damaged skeletal muscles. Steve described the loss as "unfathomable," pointing out that his daughter had been just 24 and in excellent physical condition. He told the outlet that Rachel was in "perfect health" and "perfect shape."
The 2026 New York City Marathon, held on November 1, 2026, saw 61,146 participants cross the finish line, setting a world record for the largest marathon for the third consecutive year, according to New York Road Runners. For Rachel's loved ones, however, the event will be remembered for a heartbreaking reason.
Rest in peace, Rachel.
Image courtesy: Facebook, Bucknell Athletics
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