A 25-year-old South Korean running influencer, Yoo Ji-won, has died after collapsing approximately 500 metres from the finish line of a half-marathon in Seoul, South Korea.
Yoo collapsed on Sunday, October 11, 2026, while participating in the 2026 Seoul Race. According to the event’s organising committee, the incident occurred at about 8:49 a.m. at the 20.6-kilometre mark of the 21.1-kilometre race.
Medical personnel at the scene immediately administered emergency treatment, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), before she was transported by ambulance to a hospital. Despite efforts to save her, she died while receiving treatment.
The Seoul Race organising committee confirmed her death in a statement released on Monday, October 12, expressing condolences to her family and promising to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Yoo was a graduate student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), where she researched artificial intelligence semiconductors. She also built a following on social media by sharing her running journey, training routines and achievements.
She had established herself as a talented amateur runner, completing the full Seoul Marathon in March 2026 in two hours, 56 minutes and 32 seconds. In April, she also won the women’s masters category in the 10-kilometre race at the Gunsan Saemangeum Marathon.
Following news of her death, tributes poured in from friends, fellow runners and followers who admired her dedication to the sport and her ability to balance demanding academic research with long-distance running.
The exact cause of her death has not been officially disclosed. Race organisers said they would review the incident and take the necessary follow-up measures.
Yoo’s death has also renewed conversations about athlete safety, the importance of recognising physical limits during endurance events and the need for prompt medical intervention during sporting competitions.
