Rachel Apa collapsed and died while finishing her race in the New York Marathon on Monday. Photos: Submitted
Rachel Apa’s athletic journey took her from the field hockey fields of Red Land High School to Bucknell University, and on Sunday, to her first New York City Marathon.
Apa, 24, sadly died unexpectedly after collapsing near the end of the race shortly after texting her dad updates.
The New York Post reported that Apa was describing to him how she felt before collapsing in the final stretch. The Post also reported that her family said the cause was rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which damaged muscle tissue releases substances into the bloodstream that can harm the kidneys.
Her cause of death is attributed to her family, rather than an independently reviewed medical finding.
According to ABC7 New York, citing New York Road Runners and reporting by The New York Times, Apa collapsed near Mile 24. A bystander began CPR before race medical personnel continued lifesaving efforts and used an automated external defibrillator.
She was transported to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where efforts to save her continued before her death.
For Apa, the race was also a way to honor her grandfather. She was running with the Parkinson’s Foundation Champions team in his memory after his death from Parkinson’s disease in 2022.
Her fundraising message credited him with encouraging her to stay active and take on challenges. Through the marathon, she hoped to support Parkinson’s research and care.
Years before she lined up for that race, the Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, native began building her athletic story close to home, on the field hockey field.
At Red Land, she recorded 37 goals and 13 assists across four seasons, according to her Bucknell biography. She earned first-team Mid-Penn Keystone Division recognition twice and second-team all-state honors in 2018, while lettering in both field hockey and lacrosse.
Central Penn Field Hockey lists Apa among its 2020 graduates who continued their careers in college.
MAX Field Hockey ranked her among the top 50 players in the Class of 2020 and reported that she committed to Bucknell in November 2018.
Her development résumé included the 2018 U17 Junior National Camp, U16 Stars & Stripes Game, AAU Junior Olympic Games and U16 National Futures Championship.
At Bucknell, Apa played forward and contributed in postseason games early in her career.
According to her university biography, during the 2020–21 season, she led the team with seven points on two goals and three assists. A two-goal performance in a 3–2 victory over Lafayette earned her both Patriot League Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors.
She also supplied an assist and scored in the shootout during the Patriot League semifinal win over American, then assisted on the winning goal against VCU in the NCAA first round.
Her college résumé included Academic All-Patriot League recognition, two appearances on the NFHCA National Academic Squad and two selections to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. Bucknell’s biography lists career totals of 63 games, 42 starts, 17 goals and six assists for 40 points.
As a senior in 2023, Apa scored six goals and added an assist for 13 points, finishing second on the team in goals and third in points, according to Bucknell.
She scored the winning goal against Miami of Ohio and twice against American in the Patriot League tournament semifinals.
Her years at Red Land, Central Penn and Bucknell marked a journey of accomplishment on the field and in the classroom. Her first marathon carried a personal purpose, too: honoring the grandfather who had encouraged her to take on challenges.
Red Land field hockey published this statement to their Facebook page in Apa’s memory:
“Our Red Land Field Hockey family is mourning the loss of one of our own. Rachel Apa, Class of 2020, who proudly wore #1, passed away this weekend while participating in the New York City Marathon. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with Rachel’s family, friends, and all those who loved her during this incredibly difficult time. Rest peacefully, Rachel. You will always be part of the Red Land Field Hockey family.”
The Patriots are making a postseason run that has taken the program farther than it has been in recent years. Red Land will travel to Warwick on Wednesday night, Nov. 4, for a 6:30 p.m. matchup in the District 3 Class AA tournament.
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