South Korean running influencer Yoo Ji-won has died at the age of 25 after collapsing just 500 metres from the finish line of a half-marathon in Seoul.
Yoo was participating in the 2026 Seoul Race on Sunday, October 11, when she suddenly lost consciousness near the end of the 21.1-kilometre race. Despite receiving emergency medical attention and being rushed to hospital, she did not regain consciousness.
The young runner’s death has shocked the running community, with fans and fellow athletes mourning the loss of a woman who regularly shared her training sessions and athletic achievements online.
The Seoul Race organising committee has expressed condolences to her family and promised to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Her official cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Here are five key details about the tragic incident.
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1. Yoo Ji-won Collapsed Just 500 Metres From the Finish Line
According to a statement released by the Seoul Race organising committee, Yoo became unconscious at approximately 8:49 a.m. on October 11.
She had covered about 20.6 kilometres of the half-marathon, leaving less than 500 metres before the finish line of the 21.0975-kilometre event.
A race official found her unconscious on a street in central Seoul, near Jonggak subway station, prompting an emergency response.
The circumstances surrounding the sudden collapse remain under investigation.
2. Medical Staff Performed CPR Before Rushing Her to Hospital
Following the discovery, medical personnel immediately attended to Yoo and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
She was subsequently transported by ambulance to a hospital for further treatment. However, she never regained consciousness and died shortly afterwards.
The race organisers expressed sympathy to her bereaved family and said they would carefully examine the incident and take appropriate action.
Although an initial comment attributed to a race official suggested that overexertion might have contributed to the collapse, no official findings have established what caused her death.
3. She Was a KAIST Graduate Student and Researcher
Beyond her online running content, Yoo was pursuing postgraduate studies at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of South Korea’s leading research institutions.
She was involved in research relating to semiconductors used in artificial intelligence, balancing her academic responsibilities with a demanding running routine.
Yoo began running in 2022 and gradually built a following by sharing her progress, training experiences and race performances on social media.
Her story attracted attention from people who admired her commitment to balancing scientific research with competitive amateur running.
4. Yoo Had Achieved Impressive Running Results
Yoo was an accomplished amateur runner who had recorded several notable performances before her death.
In March 2026, she completed the full Seoul Marathon in two hours, 56 minutes and 32 seconds, finishing under the three-hour mark.
She also recorded a half-marathon time of one hour, 22 minutes and one second at the New Balance Half Marathon in March.
In April, she won the women’s amateur 10-kilometre category at the Gunsan Saemangeum Marathon.
Through her online posts, Yoo encouraged people to pursue running as a long-term activity, maintain their health and work towards gradual improvement.
Her achievements made her a source of inspiration for followers who admired her discipline and determination.
5. Organisers Promise an Investigation as Tributes Emerge
The Seoul Race was organised by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper. This year’s event attracted approximately 12,000 participants across a half-marathon and an 11-kilometre race.
The routes passed through central Seoul, including areas around Gwanghwamun and Heunginjeongmun, the city’s historic eastern gate.
Following Yoo’s death, the organising committee pledged to investigate the incident and take appropriate measures based on its findings.
Meanwhile, friends, fellow runners and social media followers have shared messages of grief and remembrance.
The circumstances have also prompted renewed discussion about emergency preparedness at mass-participation running events and the importance of recognising warning signs during strenuous exercise.
However, investigators have yet to establish the medical cause of Yoo’s collapse, and it would be premature to attribute her death to overexertion or any specific medical condition.
Conclusion
Yoo Ji-won’s death at just 25 has left the running community mourning a young athlete and researcher whose dedication inspired people both online and beyond.
Her collapse less than 500 metres from the finish line, despite the subsequent emergency response, has raised serious questions about the circumstances of the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, her family, friends and followers await further information about what happened during the Seoul Race.
For now, the focus remains on remembering Yoo’s achievements and the passion she brought to running while awaiting official findings on the cause of her death.
