Running News Daily

The running community is mourning the heartbreaking death of South Korean running influencer Yoo Ji-won, who passed away after collapsing during the half marathon at the 2026 Seoul Race on Sunday, October 11. The 25-year-old was approaching the final stretch of the race when tragedy struck, cutting short a life filled with ambition, talent and promise.

The Seoul Race, a major city-centre running event, brought approximately 12,000 participants onto the streets of downtown Seoul. For thousands of runners, the occasion was an opportunity to challenge themselves and celebrate their shared passion for the sport. However, the event ended in tragedy following the incident involving Ji-won, whose death has sent shockwaves through South Korea's running community.

According to reports, Ji-won collapsed shortly before 9 a.m. at the 20.6-kilometre mark along Cheonggyecheon-ro, approximately 500 metres from the finish line of the 21.1-kilometre race. She was reportedly running near the front of the women's half marathon field when she suddenly fell.

A race official discovered her and immediately contacted emergency services. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered at the scene before she was transported to hospital for further medical attention. Despite the emergency response, Ji-won never regained consciousness and was subsequently pronounced dead. The cause of her death has not been officially confirmed.

Her passing has left a profound sense of sorrow among runners, particularly those who admired her performances and followed her journey in the sport. The circumstances surrounding the incident have also prompted renewed reflection on athlete safety and the importance of emergency preparedness at mass-participation running events.

Within South Korea's running community, Ji-won was recognised as one of the country's fastest women competing at a purely amateur level. Despite not being a professional athlete, she had achieved impressive performances over the marathon and half marathon distances, establishing herself as a formidable recreational runner.

Her personal best in the marathon stood at an impressive 2:56, while she had recorded approximately 1:22 for the half marathon. Those performances reflected a high level of dedication, disciplined training and a strong commitment to improving her abilities on the road.

Ji-won was also known for sharing aspects of her running journey with a wider audience, helping bring attention to the ambitions and achievements of amateur athletes. Her story demonstrated that the pursuit of excellence in running extends far beyond the professional ranks, with dedicated recreational athletes continually pushing their limits and setting increasingly challenging goals.

Earlier this year, she appeared on a running-focused YouTube channel, where she discussed her ambitions for the future. Among the targets she hoped to achieve was a half marathon time of 1:19, a goal that would have represented a significant improvement on her previous performance.

That ambition makes her passing particularly heartbreaking. At just 25, she was still developing as a runner, with more milestones to pursue and new challenges ahead. Her journey reflected the determination of athletes who find fulfilment in testing their limits, celebrating progress and discovering how far their dedication can take them.

Away from running, Ji-won was pursuing a master's degree at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of South Korea's leading institutions for science and technology research. She was reportedly studying artificial intelligence semiconductors, balancing demanding academic work with her commitment to running.

Her achievements in both education and athletics painted the picture of a young woman with diverse interests and considerable potential. She had invested herself in a challenging field of research while continuing to pursue ambitious sporting goals, making her sudden death an especially painful loss for those who knew her.

The Seoul Race Organizing Committee has expressed its condolences to Ji-won's bereaved family, acknowledging the immense grief caused by the sudden tragedy.

Her death has also brought attention to the human stories behind major road races. While finish times, personal records and race-day achievements often dominate the conversation, every participant arrives at the starting line with personal ambitions, responsibilities and loved ones waiting for them. Ji-won's story is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of treating such tragedies with compassion and respect.

For those who shared the roads with her, followed her progress online or simply recognised her as an inspiration within the amateur running scene, the loss will be difficult to comprehend. The goals she had spoken about earlier this year will remain unfinished, but her dedication to running and the example she set through her achievements will not easily be forgotten.

As tributes and condolences continue to reach her loved ones, the thoughts of the wider running community remain with her family, friends, fellow students and everyone affected by this devastating loss.