‘Ow, ow’: NYC runner sends text to father from marathon, collapses and dies. Rachel Apa had a rare condition where muscles break down and release their contents into bloodstream

Who was Rachel Apa, 24-year-old runner who died during NYC Marathon?

A 24-year-old woman died after collapsing during the final stages of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, with her father saying she suffered from a rare condition linked to intense physical exercise.Rachel Apa collapsed in Central Park, about two miles from the finish line, during her first marathon, her father, Steve Apa, told The New York Times. She was running as part of the Parkinson’s Champions team in memory of her grandfather, who had suffered from the disease.Apa, from Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, had played field hockey in college and was in “perfect health, perfect shape”, her father said.Her parents were cheering her on during the race. Her mother, Michelle Apa, had filmed her smiling at mile 14. However, Rachel later began reporting pain through text messages to her father. At mile 18, she sent him a message saying “Ow”, followed by another message reading “Ow, ow” a mile later.She appeared to have recovered as she approached the final stretch, texting her father at mile 23. But she collapsed shortly afterwards.A member of the public performed CPR before race medical staff arrived and used a defibrillator. She was then rushed to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where doctors tried to save her. However, she died at 9.40 pm.Her father said she died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition in which damaged muscles break down and release their contents into the bloodstream. The condition can be triggered by intense physical exertion.“It’s unfathomable,” Steve Apa said.Rachel had recently begun an MBA programme at Charleston Southern University.The New York Road Runners, which organizes the marathon, said it was “deeply saddened” by the death of one of its participants.“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with the runner’s family, friends, and the entire running community,” the organization said.