Runner Yoo Ji-won dies 500m from finish at Seoul race

The death of Yoo Ji-won, a 25-year-old running enthusiast and graduate student, occurred during the 2026 Seoul Race half-marathon. She collapsed approximately 500 meters before the finish line and subsequently passed away at a hospital. The incident took place on Sunday morning in central Seoul.

Circumstances of the collapse

According to the organizing committee, Yoo lost consciousness at 08:49 near Jonggak subway station. Race officials found her motionless and immediately contacted emergency medical services. Paramedics administered CPR before transporting her to the hospital, but she could not be revived despite all efforts.

Academic and athletic background

Born in 2001, Yoo was pursuing a master’s degree at KAIST, focusing on semiconductors used in artificial intelligence. She began running in 2022 and quickly achieved notable results. In March, she completed the New Balance Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 1 second. On April 5, she won first place in the women’s amateur 10-kilometer category at the Gunsan Saemangeum Marathon.

Daily routine and public influence

In an interview given in March, Yoo described her daily schedule. She reported arriving at her laboratory at 09:00 each morning and running for about two hours starting at 20:00. She shared her running experiences with followers, encouraging them to maintain health and self-improvement.

Investigation and official response

The exact cause of death has not been officially released. A race official suggested that excessive physical exertion might have been a factor, though this possibility remains unverified. The organizing committee stated that the incident would undergo detailed review and that necessary measures would be implemented.

Warning from Olympic champion

Hwang Young-jo, the marathon champion from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, issued a warning to amateur runners following Yoo’s death. He highlighted the risks associated with pushing too hard to achieve better performance times.