Rachel Apa, 24, died Sunday, Nov. 1, after collapsing near mile 24 of the New York City Marathon, just 2.2 miles from the finish line. She was rushed to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where doctors worked for more than six hours to save her before she was declared dead around 9:40 p.m., according to a report from The New York Times.
Apa’s death was caused by complications from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which overexerted muscle tissue breaks down and releases toxic components into the bloodstream, damaging the kidneys, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Apa graduated from Bucknell University, where she played Division I field hockey, and was working as a product manager for an electrical component company while pursuing an MBA at Charleston Southern University, a Christian school she began attending in August.
She ran the marathon to raise money for the Parkinson’s Foundation in honor of her late grandfather, who died in 2022 after living with Parkinson’s disease. By the time of her death, she had raised more than $55,000 for the cause.
“My grandfather was my role model growing up,” Apa wrote on the Parkinson’s Champions fundraising page. “He taught me to stay active, push my limits and embrace challenges, shaping my love for sports and movement.”
“Later in life, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and I watched as the disease slowly took away the freedom to move that he once loved so much,” she wrote. “He passed away in 2022, but the lessons he taught me continue to drive me forward.”
The Parkinson’s Foundation said it was “saddened by the tragic passing” of Apa, who ran as part of its Parkinson’s Champions team.
“Rachel’s decision to take on this challenge was deeply personal. After watching Parkinson’s disease gradually take away the freedom of movement her grandfather once cherished, Rachel was inspired to honor his memory by running and supporting the Parkinson’s community.”
Charleston Southern University, where Apa had just begun her graduate studies, released a statement from assistant dean Maxwell Rollins, who recalled a recent class assignment in which Apa wrote that her mission was to use her talents to make an impact on those around her.
“She wrote that her desire was to demonstrate Christ’s love and character in both business and everyday life,” Rollins said. “Though she had just started her MBA at CSU, her passion for others and heart for Jesus will continue to serve as an inspiration for all our students.”
CSU president B. Keith Faulkner added: “The loss of a vibrant young woman in the prime of her life is a sorrow no parent can imagine enduring. The Charleston Southern family is surrounding the Apa family, along with all who knew and loved Rachel, with our prayers and support.”
“We will never fully understand why this happened to a young woman of such remarkable strength and character,” Faulkner said. “Her final hours are forever marked by Rachel’s selfless dedication to helping others as she ran to raise funds in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.”
Apa played field hockey for nearly a decade with the Central Penn Field Hockey Club before joining Bucknell’s team. Both programs posted tributes to her memory on social media.
“On the field, she played with intensity and determination,” the Central Penn club wrote. “She was competitive, serious about the game and gave 100% every single time, always with a smile and an unwavering commitment to her teammates.”
Bucknell Field Hockey wrote that “Rachel’s spirit will be everlasting; her impact on the people and program will never be forgotten,” adding that the team was sending the Apa family “all our love, strength and support.”
