NYC marathoner with 'heart for Jesus' remembered after tragic death for faith, strength and charity

Rachel Apa, 24, died on Sunday, Nov. 1, while running the marathon after succumbing to complications from rhabdomyolysis, a rare muscle condition.

Apa made it to mile 24 – just 2.2 miles from the finish line – before collapsing. She received immediate medical attention and was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where physicians worked to save her for more than six hours.

The athlete was declared dead at around 9:40 p.m., according to a report from The New York Times.

NYC MARATHON RUNNER, 24, DIES JUST 2 MILES FROM FINISH LINE AFTER SENDING DAD CHILLING TEXTS

Rhabdomyolysis causes the muscles to break down when over-exerted, which leads to muscle death, according to Cleveland Clinic.

When this disintegration occurs, toxic components of the muscle fibers can enter the and kidneys, which can cause kidney damage, essentially acting as poison to the body.

Apa graduated from Bucknell University, where she played Division I field hockey. Post-grad, she was working as a product manager for an electrical component company while working on receiving her MBA at Charleston Southern University (CSU).

In a tribute released on Tuesday, the Christian university, where Apa began her graduate school education in August, said the CSU family "mourns the tragic loss."

"Maxwell Rollins, assistant dean of graduate programs for the Nielsen College of Business, shared a recent class assignment where Apa stated her current mission was to take advantage of the talents and opportunities she had been blessed with to make an impact in any way she could in the lives of those around her," the statement reads.

Rollins shared about Apa, "She wrote that her desire was to demonstrate Christs love and character in both business and everyday life. Though she had just started her MBA at CSU, her passion for others and will continue to serve as an inspiration for all our students."

CSU president B. Keith Faulkner added, "The loss of a vibrant young woman in the prime of her life is a sorrow no parent can imagine enduring. The Charleston Southern family is surrounding the Apa family, along with all who knew and loved Rachel, with our prayers and support."

"We will never fully understand why this happened to a young woman of such remarkable strength and character. Her final hours are forever marked by Rachels selfless dedication to helping others as she ran to raise funds in the fight against ."

Faulkner continued, "We know that true peace comes only from the Lord, and we pray that His presence and comfort will be deeply felt by all who are grieving and by all whose lives were touched by Rachels extraordinary life and legacy."

Apas former field hockey teams also mourned her loss in tributes posted to social media.

Central Penn Field Hockey Club, where Apa was a member for nearly a decade before playing for Bucknell, posted that the family is "heartbroken by the loss."

"On the field, she played with intensity and determination," the club wrote. "She was competitive, serious about the game and gave 100% every single time, always with a smile and an unwavering commitment to her teammates."

"Watching her play was a beautiful thing. You could see the joy she carried every time she stepped on the pitch."

The statement continued, "Our hearts are with the Apa family, her CPFH and Bucknell teammates and their families, and everyone lucky enough to have shared the field with her."

Bucknell Field Hockey also posted to Instagram, featuring several photos and videos of Apa on the field alongside her teammates.

"Our hearts are broken for the Apa family, and we are deeply sorr