A young woman’s race through life has been tragically cut short. 

Rachel Apa, a former Division I athlete, died Nov. 1 from rhabdomyolysis while attempting to finish the New York City Marathon. She was 24. 

Apa—who played field hockey at Bucknell University—collapsed in Central Park, just two miles from the race’s finish line. During the race, Apa’s mother Michelle Apa took a video of her daughter looking strong and happy passing her during the mile 14 mark. 

At mile 18, Apa texted her father Steve Apa, “Ow,” before sending another a mile later, “Ow, ow.”

By mile 24, nearby spectator Michaela Nicholas gave Apa a cheer of encouragement, she told the New York Times in an interview published Nov. 2, before witnessing the project manager’s collapse. 

Nicholas ran over, along with three other spectators to attempt to administer CPR. Apa was later shuttled to a nearby hospital and administered attempted life-saving treatment for six hours before she was pronounced dead. 

“It’s unfathomable,” Apa’s father told the New York Times, “Perfect health, perfect shape. 24 years old.”