Rachel Apa, a 24-year-old runner, died during the New York City Marathon after collapsing in the final stretch of the race. Her family revealed that Apa, who was running her first marathon, had texted her father shortly before losing consciousness.
"I feel amazing," Apa wrote to her father around 11:30 a.m. near the nine-mile mark, attributing her positive feeling to carb-loading before the race. "I’ve never felt this good."
Apa succumbed to rhabdomyolysis, a rare and potentially deadly condition that involves the rapid breakdown of muscle tissue. The condition can lead to severe internal issues, including kidney failure.