Rachel Apa, a former Division I field hockey player and first-time marathon runner, died Sunday after she collapsed while participating in the New York City Marathon. She was 24.<\/p>\n
Apa experienced a \u201cmedical incident\u201d during the race, according to marathon organizers New York Road Runners, and a bystander administered CPR until medical staff arrived. Staff continued with CPR and also used a defibrillator in their efforts to revive her. EMS transported Apa to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where doctors tried to save her life for more than six hours, her father, Steve Apa, told the New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are deeply saddened by Rachel\u2019s passing following running in Sunday\u2019s race,\u201d the Road Runners said in a statement. \u201cOur thoughts and sincere sympathies are with her family, friends, and the entire running community.\u201d<\/p>\n According to multiple media outlets, the family was told by doctors that Apa had died of rhabdomyolysis \u2014 \u201ca rare condition in which muscle cells break down and release a substance into the blood that can lead to kidney failure,\u201d according to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>. Marathon runners are listed as people that could be affected by the condition.<\/p>\n The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York is investigating, a spokesperson told The Times, and has not yet made a final determination on Apa\u2019s cause of death.<\/p>\n Apa spent four years with the Bucknell University field hockey team before graduating in 2024 with a degree in business administration. She made 42 starts in 63 overall games, compiling 40 points on 17 goals and six assists. <\/p>\n A product manager at TE Connectivity who was pursuing an MBA at Charleston Southern University in South Carolina, Apa decided earlier this year to run the New York City Marathon as part of the Parkinson\u2019s Champions team.<\/p>\n