SHE WAS JUST TWO MILES FROM THE FINISH LINE: 24-YEAR-OLD RACHEL APA’S FINAL TEXT MESSAGES TO HER FATHER BEFORE NYC MARATHON tᩚraɢedy

What was supposed to be one of the proudest days of a young athlete’s life turned into an unimaginable tᩚraɢedy for a Pennsylvania family.

Rachel Apa, 24, was running her first-ever New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, 2026. She had spent months preparing for the 26.2-mile race, determined to accomplish a personal goal while honoring her beloved grandfather, who passed away from Parkinson’s disease in 2022.

But just two miles from the finish line, Rachel collapsed in Central Park. She was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where medical teams fought to save her life. Despite their efforts, she passed away later that evening.

Now, her father, Steve Apa, is sharing the heartbreaking text messages they exchanged during the race — conversations that began with excitement and encouragement before suddenly falling silent.

“I’VE NEVER FELT THIS GOOD”

Earlier that morning, Rachel appeared excited and confident as she began her first marathon.

Her father, Steve, remained at the family’s home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, following her progress through the official marathon tracking app. Although he could not be physically beside her, he stayed connected by sending messages of encouragement throughout the race.

Around mile nine, Rachel sent him an update that initially brought relief and happiness.

She told him she felt amazing and had never felt better, crediting her pre-race carbohydrate loading for the way she was feeling.

Her father responded with encouragement but also a gentle warning.

It was her first marathon, and he wanted her to take her time rather than push herself too hard.

“Don’t overdo it. First marathon. This is a learning run,” he reminded her.

At that point, nothing suggested that the day would end in tᩚraɢedy.

Rachel continued along the course, while her mother, Michelle, watched from the sidelines in New York City.

At approximately mile 14, Michelle captured a video of her daughter running past with a smile, waving and acknowledging the spectators.

It was a joyful moment that the family would later treasure.

THE TEXT MESSAGES BEGAN TO CHANGE

As Rachel moved deeper into the 26.2-mile course, the physical demands of the race became increasingly difficult.

Her messages to her father began to sound different.

Around mile 18, she sent him a short text:

“O w.”

Her father encouraged her to take it easy and reminded her that finishing safely was more important than speed.

At mile 19, another message arrived:

“Ow, ow.”

Steve continued reassuring his daughter.

When she reached mile 20, she again indicated that she was hurting.

Despite the discomfort, Rachel continued moving forward.

Her father kept watching the tracking app and sending messages at each milestone, hoping to encourage her through the final stretch.

He did not know that those brief exchanges would become some of his most painful memories.

“FINAL STRETCH” — BUT THERE WAS NO REPLY

As Rachel approached mile 23, Steve sent another encouraging message.

“Final stretch.”

He wanted his daughter to know that she was getting closer to accomplishing the goal she had worked so hard to achieve.

But this time, Rachel did not respond.

Steve continued sending messages as he followed her location on the marathon app. When she reached approximately mile 24, around 1:30 p.m., he noticed something alarming.

Her location had stopped moving.

The tracking app was no longer showing the progress he had been watching throughout the afternoon.

His concern quickly grew.

Rachel’s mother and friends had been waiting near mile 25, expecting to see her approaching the finish. When they also noticed that her location had stopped moving, Michelle began making her way toward the mile 24 area to find her daughter.

Steve later recalled the frightening realization that he could no longer reach Rachel.

He eventually learned that she had collapsed and had already been transported to the hospital.

STRANGERS RUSHED TO HELP AS RACHEL COLLAPSED

Rachel collapsed in Central Park, approximately two miles before the marathon finish line.

People nearby immediately rushed to help.

Bystanders began performing CPR, while medical personnel responded with emergency equipment, including a defibrillator.

Emergency responders subsequently transported Rachel to Mount Sinai Hospital in ᑕriᩚtiᩚcal condition.

Her family remained hopeful as doctors worked to save her.

However, despite hours of medical efforts, Rachel passed away at approximately 9:40 p.m. on November 1.

She was only 24 years old.

According to her father, doctors identified rhabdomyolysis as the cause of her dєatᩚh — a potentially life-threatening condition involving the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue.

The condition can occur following extreme physical exertion and may lead to serious complications affecting the kidneys and other organs.

SHE WAS RUNNING IN MEMORY OF HER BELOVED GRANDFATHER

Behind Rachel’s decision to participate in the New York City Marathon was a deeply personal reason.

She was running with the Parkinson’s Champions team to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease, the illness that had affected her grandfather.

Her grandfather passed away in 2022, but the lessons he taught her continued to influence her life.

On her fundraising page, Rachel had written about how much he meant to her.

She described him as her role model growing up, someone who taught her to stay active, challenge herself and embrace new experiences.

Watching Parkinson’s disease gradually take away his ability to move freely had been especially difficult for her.

By participating in the marathon, Rachel hoped to honor his memory and support a cause that meant so much to her family.

Completing her first marathon would have been a powerful tribute to the man who had inspired her love of movement and sports.

Sadly, she never reached the finish line.

A YOUNG ATHLETE WITH SO MUCH STILL AHEAD

Rachel was a former Division I field hockey player at Bucknell University and had continued pursuing her ambitions beyond college athletics.

She was also working as a product manager and had recently begun an MBA program at Charleston Southern University.

Her father described her as being in excellent health and physical condition before the race.

She had trained for months and was prepared for the challenge of completing her first marathon.

Her dєatᩚh has left her family, friends and the wider running community mourning a young woman whose future held so much promise.

The New York Road Runners organization also expressed its sadness following the tᩚraɢedy, extending condolences to Rachel’s family and everyone affected by her passing.

A FATHER’S MESSAGES THAT WILL NEVER RECEIVE AN ANSWER

For Steve Apa, the messages exchanged with his daughter during those final miles now carry a meaning he could never have imagined.

What began as an ordinary conversation between a proud father and his daughter became a painful record of her final hours.

He had been cheering her on from miles away, sending encouragement at every milestone and reminding her that she did not need to race against anyone.

He simply wanted her to finish safely.

Rachel was so close to the finish line.

She had trained for months, carried her grandfather’s memory with her and reached a moment she had dreamed about for so long.

But she never made it across.

At just 24 years old, Rachel Apa leaves behind a family who will forever remember her smile, her determination and the reason she chose to run.

Her first marathon was meant to celebrate everything her grandfather had taught her.

Instead, it became a heartbreaking reminder of how precious and unpredictable life can be.

May Rachel rest in peace, and may her family find strength during this unimaginable loss. 🕊️