Yoo Ji-won, 25-year-old South Korean running influencer, dies just before finishing half marathon

In a tragic incident, a 25-year-old South Korean running influencer has passed away after collapsing at the end of a half marathon in Seoul on Sunday, October 11. As per a report in the People, Yoo Ji-won collapsed less than half a mile from the finish line. She was promptly transported to a medical facility, but later pronounced dead by race organizers. The cause of her death has not yet been determined.

The organisers of Seoul Race announced Yoo’s death in an Instagram post. “Around 8:49 AM on October 11, an emergency situation occurred when a participant in the Seoul Race Half Course collapsed at the 20.6km mark. After providing emergency first aid at the scene, the individual was transported to a medical facility via a 119 ambulance for treatment; however, sadly, the participant passed away. We offer our deepest condolences to the bereaved family facing this sudden tragedy and pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased. We also extend our sympathies to the participants, whose hearts must be heavy upon hearing this tragic news. The Organizing Committee will closely examine the matter and take necessary follow-up measures,” a translated version of the statement issued by the Seoul Race Organizing Committee read.

Meanwhile one of the friends of Yoo in an Instagram post revealed what happened in the race. “Near the finish line of the Seoul Race, I saw a crowd gathering and thought someone must have been hurt. As soon as I crossed the finish line, I looked for you on the awards podium, but then came the unsettling news, and I began to sense a reality I didn’t want to believe,” wrote Yoo’s friend and content creator Bummy.

Who was Yoo Ji-won?

Ji-won was well-known for sharing her running journeys and achievements on her Instagram account, where she had over 8,000 followers. Her final update on the platform occurred just a week prior to her passing, where she posted her time for a recent 10-kilometer run. This update received numerous tributes from friends and fans alike, highlighting the impact she had on her community and the love that surrounded her.

Meanwhile, her followers took to social media to mourn Yoo’s demise. “Every time I saw her running in a video, I thought she was an amazing runner,” wrote one admirer. Another commented, “May her soul rest in peace,” while a third remarked, “I always cheered for you, but today I have to wish you rest in peace.”

As per the report in the People, Ji-won was also an artificial intelligence semiconductor researcher at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

This unfortunate incident has triggered discussions regarding health and safety measures at athletic events, particularly those involving high-performance activities such as marathons. For instance, a huge row erupted after an Australian athlete Joanna Wietrzyk allowed to carry on at the Hyrox Beijing fitness competition on September 12, 2026, despite experiencing acute fecal incontinence due to food poisoning. She later apologized and retroactively withdrew from the event.