'Always found her way to the finish line': Family releases obituary for NYC Marathon runner Rachel Apa who died from rhabdomyolysis

The family of Rachel Apa, the 24-year-old runner who died after collapsing just two miles short of the finish line at the New York City Marathon, has released a moving obituary remembering her as a determined athlete who "always found her way to the finish line". Apa, from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, collapsed near Mile 24 of the marathon in Central Park on November 1. She was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital but died hours later.

Her family said she suffered from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue. "With determination, discipline, and a heart fully committed to whatever she pursued, she always found her way to the finish line," her family wrote in the obituary. Recalling her final moments during the race, the family wrote that Apa had completed 24 miles at an incredible pace, with a wide grin on her face.

"On Sunday, November 1, 2026, after running 24 miles at an incredible pace and with a grin that stretched ear to ear, the only thing strong enough to physically stop her body met Rachel on 85th Street," the obituary said. "Her spirit was so powerful and full of vitality that not even her body could contain it," the family added.

The obituary described Apa as strong-willed and someone who naturally took charge. Despite being just 24, she had already achieved several milestones and inspired pride among those who knew her. "At just 24, Rachel had already accomplished so much and given those who knew her countless reasons to be proud. She moved through the world with purpose, always setting high expectations for herself," her family wrote.

Beyond athletics, Apa was passionate about animals, particularly her dogs, whom her family described as her "forever children". She was also a talented baker who had created a cookie recipe so irresistible that her family joked they had to get rid of it for the sake of their health. "She created a cookie recipe so perfect it had to be thrown away for the sake of our health," the obituary read.

Apa was a former Division I field hockey player at Bucknell University. She graduated from the university in 2024 and had been pursuing a master's degree in business administration at Charleston Southern University while working. She was running her first New York City Marathon to raise money for Parkinson's disease research in honour of her grandfather, who died of the disease in 2022.

In a LinkedIn post before the race, Apa had credited her grandfather with teaching her to remain active, push her limits and embrace challenges. "My grandfather was one of my role models growing up. He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges," she had written. Her father, Steve Apa, had earlier said his daughter was in excellent health and had trained for the marathon. He had been exchanging text messages with her throughout the race, but communication stopped when she reached Mile 24.

According to her family, doctors told them that she died from rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which damaged muscle tissue releases substances into the bloodstream that can cause kidney damage and other complications. New York Road Runners, which organizes the marathon, said a bystander administered CPR after Apa collapsed. Event medical staff also performed CPR and used a defibrillator before paramedics took her to hospital. The New York City medical examiner's office had said it was investigating her death.