MARATHON RUNNER RACHEL APA DIES AFTER CENTRAL PARK COLLAPSE

Rachel Apa collapsed while running through Central Park during the New York City Marathon on Sunday, at approximately 1.30pm and about two miles from the finish line. A hospital social worker, Michaela Nicholas, rushed to help but could not detect a pulse, and two doctors among the crowd took turns performing CPR. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Her father, Steve Apa, said she had died from rhabdomyolysis, a condition triggered by the breakdown of muscle tissue, and described her death as "unfathomable". Apa had been in "perfect health" before taking on her first marathon, and had shown signs of discomfort before she collapsed.

Her mother, Michelle Apa, filmed her passing Mile 14 in Queens, where she smiled and gestured towards the camera in a pale green running kit. Michelle then travelled on to Central Park to wait near the finish line. Her father tracked her progress from the family's home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, sending messages of encouragement through the marathon's tracking app. Apa worked as a product manager at an electrical components firm. She had recently begun studying for an MBA.

According to the New York Times, Apa texted her father "Ow" at Mile 18 and "Ow ow" at Mile 19, but continued running. She did not respond to further messages he sent at Miles 20, 21 and 22. At Mile 23, Steve sent a final message, "Final stretch". He received no reply. It was the last exchange between Apa and her father before she collapsed close to the finish line.