A 24-year-old New York City Marathon runner who collapsed near the finish line died from a rare muscle disorder, her heartbroken family said, despite describing her as being in “perfect health.”
Rachel Apa fell at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday near Mile 24 in Central Park, close to East 85th Street, as she approached the final stretch of the race.
Her father, Steve Apa, told The New York Times that the cause of death was rhabdomyolysis. The rare condition can be triggered by intense physical exertion and occurs when damaged muscles break down, releasing substances that can poison the body.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: GP Barred for Kissing and Touching Teenage Patient
“It’s unfathomable. Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old,” her grieving father said. He had been following Rachel’s progress through the marathon tracking app from the family’s home in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, and realized something was wrong when her location stopped moving.