A running influencer has died after collapsing just steps from the finish line of a major race in South Korea.
South Korean running influencer Yoo Ji-won has died at the age of 25 after collapsing just 500 meters from the finish line of a half-marathon in Seoul. The amateur athlete was rushed to a hospital following the incident but could not be saved.
According to the Seoul Race organizing committee, the incident occurred at approximately 8:49 a.m. on Sunday, October 11, during the 2026 Seoul Race. Yoo reportedly lost consciousness at the 20.6-kilometer mark of the 21.1-kilometer half-marathon.
A race official found her unconscious on a street, prompting an emergency response. CPR was administered before she was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where she later died.
The organizing committee confirmed the participant's death in a statement on Monday. It expressed condolences to her family and promised to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have yet to determine an exact cause of death.
Tributes Pour In as Questions Remain
Following news of her death, friends, fellow runners, and followers shared tributes online, remembering Yoo for her dedication to running and her achievements.
Friend and fellow running content creator Bummy also shared an emotional tribute. He recalled the confusion and disbelief he experienced after noticing a crowd near the Seoul Race finish area before learning that Yoo had been taken to the hospital.
Her death has also renewed discussions about runner safety and emergency preparedness at sporting events. Marathon champion Hwang Young-jo, who won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, urged amateur runners not to push themselves beyond their limits and called for race organizers to have adequate on-site medical support.
Yoo Ji-won Balanced Running With Her Research Career
Beyond her running achievements, Yoo was a graduate student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), where she researched semiconductors for artificial intelligence.
She began running in 2022 and gradually built a following on Instagram by sharing her training routines, race results, and experiences balancing academic work with her passion for the sport. Her account had attracted more than 8,000 followers prior to her passing.
Yoo was also an accomplished amateur runner. In March, she completed the Seoul Marathon in two hours, 56 minutes, and 32 seconds. She also won the women's amateur 10-kilometer division at the Gunsan Saemangeum Marathon in April this year.