Running Influencer Yoo Ji-won, 25, Dies After Collapsing at the End of Half Marathon
Running Influencer Yoo Ji-won, 25, Dies After Collapsing at the End of Half Marathon
Luke ChinmanWed, October 14, 2026 at 3:10 PM UTC
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Yoo Ji-wonCredit: mta1n_0ne/InstagramThe content creator maintained a following of over 8,000 on Instagram, where she was known for sharing her runs and athletic achievements -
Yoo Ji-won, a South Korean running influencer, died after collapsing at the end of a half marathon on Sunday
She was taken to a hospital, where she later died, race organizers said in a statement
Ji-won maintained a following of over 8,000 on Instagram, where she was known for sharing her runs and athletic achievements
Yoo Ji-won, a South Korean running influencer, died after collapsing at the end of a half marathon on Sunday, Oct. 11. She was 25.
Seoul Race — a half marathon in Seoul, South Korea — announced the death of one of its participants in a statement on Instagram on Monday signed by the race’s organizing committee, writing that the individual had “collapsed” less than half a mile from the finish of the race. The participant was transported to a medical facility, where they later died, the statement added.
The individual was identified as Ji-won by her friend and fellow running content creator Bummy, remembering her final moments in an Instagram post.
Yoo Ji-wonCredit: mta1n_0ne/Instagram
“Near the finish line of the Seoul Race, I saw a crowd gathering and thought someone must have been hurt,” he wrote in Korean. “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. I dropped everything and rushed to the hospital, hoping to see you one last time, but I am so sorry I couldn’t stay by your side until the very end.”
Per Resonate Voices, a European outlet that covers East and Southeast Asian news, authorities have not determined a cause of death.
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“We would also like to offer our condolences to the participants, whose hearts must be heavy upon hearing the tragic news of the deceased,” added the race’s organizing committee. “The organizing committee will closely examine the relevant matters and take necessary follow-up measures.” Ji-won maintained a following of over 8,000 on Instagram, where she was known for sharing her runs and athletic achievements. In addition to running, she worked as an artificial intelligence semiconductor researcher at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, per Resonate Voices.
She last her account on Oct. 4, posting her time for a recent 10-kilometer run. In the comments, friends and fans shared tributes to the late internet star.
Yoo Ji-wonCredit: mta1n_0ne/Instagram
“Every time I saw her running in a video, I thought she was an amazing runner,” wrote one. “I will remember her for a long time to come.”
“May her soul rest in peace 🙏🏻” penned another.
“I always cheered for you, but today I have to wish you rest in peace,” posted a third.
on People
Source: “AOL Breaking”
