JUST TWO MILES FROM THE FINISH LINE: RACHEL APA, 24, SENT HER FINAL TEXTS TO HER DAD BEFORE TRAGEDY STRUCK DURING HER FIRST NYC MARATHON

She had trained for months, carried her grandfather’s memory with every step, and was closer than ever to completing her first New York City Marathon. But just two miles from the finish line, 24-year-old Rachel Apa collapsed. Her father, who had been exchanging messages with her throughout the race, suddenly stopped receiving replies.

What was supposed to be one of the proudest days of Rachel Apa’s life became an unimaginable tragedy for her family.

The 24-year-old from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, had traveled to New York City on November 1, 2026, to take part in her very first New York City Marathon. She was not running simply to achieve a personal milestone. She had dedicated the race to her late grandfather, who had lived with Parkinson’s disease, and hoped to raise money to support the Parkinson’s community.

For Rachel, the challenge carried a deeply personal meaning.

Her grandfather had been one of her greatest role models growing up. He encouraged her to stay active, push her limits, and embrace new challenges. As his illness gradually affected his ability to move, Rachel witnessed firsthand how Parkinson’s disease could take away something he had always loved.

He passed away in 2022, but the lessons he had taught her remained an important part of her life.

In his memory, Rachel joined the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Parkinson’s Champions team and set a fundraising goal of $4,000.

She was determined to make every mile count.

THE MESSAGES THAT HER FATHER WILL NEVER FORGET

As Rachel made her way through the five boroughs of New York City, her father, Steve Apa, followed her progress from their home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania.

Rather than standing along the crowded marathon route, he tracked his daughter through the official race application and exchanged text messages with her throughout the morning.

Before the race began, Rachel was excited. Her father knew how much preparation had gone into this moment and wanted her to enjoy the experience without pushing herself too hard.

Around 11:30 a.m., when Rachel had reached approximately mile nine, she sent him an encouraging message:

“Hey, go.”

It was a familiar expression between father and daughter.

She then told him that she felt amazing and believed her pre-race preparation had worked perfectly.

“I’ve never felt this good,” she reportedly wrote.

Steve reminded her that this was her first marathon and encouraged her to take it slowly.

As the miles passed, however, the tone of their messages began to change.

Around mile 18, Rachel sent a short message:

“Ugh.”

Her father responded with encouragement.

A little later, she sent another message:

“Ow, ow.”

Steve continued reminding her not to overdo it. He knew the final miles could be difficult, but he was proud of how far she had already come.

At mile 20, they exchanged another brief series of messages. Rachel continued to communicate with him, even as the physical demands of the race became increasingly difficult.

By mile 23, Steve sent her a message that would later take on a heartbreaking meaning:

“All finish, not speed.”

He wanted her to focus on reaching the finish line safely rather than worrying about her time.

He was only thinking about seeing his daughter complete the race.

But shortly afterward, the messages stopped.

THE MOMENT HER FAMILY REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG

Around 1:30 p.m., near mile 24, Steve sent Rachel another message.

He noticed that her location on the marathon tracking application had stopped moving.

At first, her family did not know exactly what had happened.

Rachel’s mother, Michelle Apa, had traveled to New York with two of Rachel’s friends to cheer her on. They had been following the race and were expecting to see her around mile 25.

When they noticed that Rachel’s tracking location was no longer progressing, concern quickly turned into panic.

Steve sent his daughter another message, telling her that her mother was walking toward her.

There was no reply.

Michelle rushed toward the mile 24 area, calling Rachel’s name as she searched through the crowds.

An emergency medical worker eventually told her that an ambulance had already taken Rachel to the hospital.

Michelle was then driven to Mount Sinai Medical Center in another ambulance so she could be with her daughter.

Meanwhile, Steve began making his way from Pennsylvania to New York.

The family was suddenly facing a situation they could never have imagined when Rachel had set out that morning.

A DESPERATE FIGHT TO SAVE HER LIFE

According to New York Road Runners, the organization responsible for the marathon, a bystander began performing CPR after Rachel experienced a medical emergency.

Event medical personnel continued the efforts and used a defibrillator before emergency responders transported her to Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Rachel arrived at the hospital in critical condition.

Doctors worked to save her life for several hours. Despite their efforts, she passed away at approximately 9:40 p.m. on November 1, according to her father.

She was just 24 years old.

Steve later described the loss as unfathomable, saying his daughter had been in excellent health and physical condition.

Her family was left struggling to understand how a young woman who had trained for months and appeared ready for her first marathon could experience such a devastating medical emergency.

WHAT HAPPENED TO RACHEL?

Rachel’s father told multiple news outlets that doctors had attributed her condition to rhabdomyolysis, a rare but potentially life-threatening medical condition involving the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue.

Rhabdomyolysis can occur following extreme physical exertion, among other causes. When muscle cells break down, substances released into the bloodstream can damage vital organs, particularly the kidneys.

The condition can become serious and requires urgent medical treatment.

However, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner was investigating the circumstances surrounding Rachel’s passing, and a final official determination had not yet been publicly established in the initial reports.

Her case has drawn attention to the importance of understanding serious medical complications that can occur during strenuous endurance activities.

THE YOUNG WOMAN BEHIND THE MARATHON

Beyond the heartbreaking circumstances of her final race, Rachel was remembered as a dedicated athlete, a hardworking student, and a young woman with an ambitious future.

She graduated from Bucknell University in 2024, where she played Division I field hockey for four years.

During her college career, she made 42 starts in 63 games, scoring 17 goals and contributing six assists.

After graduation, Rachel began working as a product manager at TE Connectivity, an electrical components manufacturing company. She had also recently moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where she was pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree.

Her father described her as someone who was always active and constantly pushing herself, whether in sports, academics, or everyday life.

Running the New York City Marathon was another example of that determination.

And this time, she wanted to do it for someone she loved.

HER FINAL MILES WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Rachel had set a fundraising goal of $4,000 for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Following news of her passing, donations poured into her fundraising campaign, with contributions quickly surpassing the original target and eventually exceeding $21,000.

The organization also released a tribute honoring Rachel, remembering her decision to run in memory of her grandfather and recognizing the meaning behind her participation.

Bucknell University and its field hockey community also shared messages of condolences, remembering her impact on the people who knew her.

For Rachel’s family, the messages exchanged during the marathon will forever remain part of a day they wish had ended differently.

Her father had encouraged her at every stage, reminding her to take her time and finish safely. Her mother had traveled to New York to watch her achieve a dream. Her friends had come to cheer her on.

She had made it nearly 24 miles through one of the world’s most famous marathons.

She was so close to the finish line.

But Rachel never got to cross it.

At just 24, she leaves behind a family, friends, teammates, and a community that will remember her not for how her final race ended, but for the determination and love that inspired her to begin it.

She ran for her grandfather. She ran to support families affected by Parkinson’s. And although she never reached the finish line, her final miles have left a lasting mark on everyone who has heard her story.