A close friend of Rachel Apa, the 24-year-old runner who collapsed and died near the finish line of the New York City Marathon, remembered her as a "determined" and "passionate" athlete.
Apa died hours after falling at Mile 24 of the race in Central Park due to a rare muscular condition known as rhabdomyolysis. The condition causes muscles to disintegrate and poison the blood, according to reports. Apa was a former Division I field hockey player at Bucknell University.
Isabella Pavlides, a friend who met Apa at a hockey camp in 2018 and attended Bucknell with her, described Apa as a fierce competitor who believed in her ability to achieve any goal she set. "She was so competitive, and when she had her mind set on something, and she wanted something, she put her whole heart into it and truly believed that she could get it done," Pavlides told The Post.
Pavlides recalled Apa as a supportive presence, saying, "If you could pick one person to get something done, it would be her. She always figured out a way, and she was one of the most determined people I know."
Apa was running the marathon to raise money for Parkinson's disease research, in honor of her grandfather who died from the illness. She noted on LinkedIn that her grandfather had taught her to "stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges."
Bucknell University released a statement mourning Apa's loss, highlighting her contributions to the Bison field hockey team. "Rachel was a four-year member and key contributor to the Bison field hockey team, scoring 17 goals during her collegiate career and earning Academic All-Patriot League honors," a spokesperson said. "The Bucknell community mourns her loss and extends its heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved her."
Charleston Southern University, where Apa was pursuing an MBA, also remembered her. President B. Keith Faulkner called her a "vibrant young woman in the prime of her life" and noted her dedication to helping others through her fundraising efforts for Parkinson's disease research.