South Korean athlete and running influencer Yoo Ji-won died at 25 after collapsing near the finish of a Seoul half marathon, as friends mourned and the cause remained unknown.
Yoo Ji-won collapsed less than a half-mile from the finish line of the Seoul Race half marathon on Sunday and never regained consciousness.
A race official found the 25-year-old unconscious on a street near the end of the 13-mile course, called emergency services, and saw her receive CPR before she was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead soon after. The New York Post reported that authorities have not determined the exact cause of her sudden death, and official medical details remain unknown.
Yoo was a rising figure in amateur running and an artificial intelligence semiconductor researcher at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. She built a following of more than 9,000 people on Instagram by documenting training programs and race milestones.
Earlier this year she finished the full Seoul Marathon in 2 hours, 56 minutes, and 32 seconds. On October 4 she posted her final social media update about a six-mile run.
Fellow runner and friend Bummy finished his own race, noticed a crowd near the finish area, and went to the awards podium looking for her. He then learned she had been taken away and rushed to the hospital.
Bummy later wrote about the moment he saw the gathering near the line.
"Near the finish line of the Seoul Race, I saw a crowd gathering and thought someone must have been hurt."
He described the scramble that followed and the regret that came with it.
"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."
The Seoul Race organizing committee issued a formal statement on Monday confirming the death and offering condolences.
"We pray for the repose of the deceased and extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family facing this sudden sorrow. We would also like to offer our condolences to the participants, whose hearts must be heavy upon hearing the tragic news of the deceased. The organizing committee will closely examine the relevant matters and take necessary follow up measures."
Fans left messages on her Instagram page after the news spread. One wrote, “I hope you run your heart out in the sky.” Another said, “I always cheered for you, but today I have to wish you rest in peace.” Others called her an amazing runner and said they would remember her for a long time.
A young woman who trained in public, raced hard, and shared the work with thousands collapsed within sight of the finish. The committee now has to examine what happened and deliver clear answers to the family left behind.
