20s · KAIST runner, dies tragically with 500m left on half course… “May you run peacefully in heaven”

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A woman in her 20s who participated in a marathon held in the Seoul city center collapsed and died just 500m before the finish line. The tragedy is further compounded by reports that the deceased was a KAIST graduate student researching artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors, as well as an active running influencer.

According to the Seoul Race Organizing Committee, the event organizer, on the morning of the 11th at approximately 8:49 a.m., participant Yoo Ji-won, who had entered the half course of the “2026 Seoul Race,” suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed at the 20.6km mark. This was a point approximately 500m before the finish line on the full half-course distance (21.0975km).

Immediately after emergency measures by on-site medical staff, Yoo was urgently transported to a nearby hospital via a 119 ambulance and received treatment, but ultimately passed away. The exact cause of death has not yet been determined.

The Organizing Committee stated through its official channels, “We respectfully pray for the repose of the deceased’s soul and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and participants who are facing this sudden sorrow,” adding, “We will carefully examine this incident and proceed with necessary follow-up measures without fail.”

The race, which started from Seoul Plaza and traversed the city center through landmarks such as Gwanghwamun and Heunginjeongmun, saw approximately 12,000 participants in events including the half course and an 11km course.

Yoo was an engineer and researcher who had been conducting research related to AI semiconductors at KAIST’s graduate school, while also actively working as a running influencer by sharing her daily life of balancing research activities with running. Having started running in 2022 and honed her skills, Yoo earned recognition for her abilities among amateur runners, including winning the women’s masters division in the 10km race at the Gunsan Saemangeum Marathon held last April.

Upon news of the sudden passing, a wave of tributes from running enthusiasts and netizens has continued on the deceased’s SNS and in interview videos from her lifetime. Netizens expressed their condolences, saying, “I hope you run without pain and peacefully in heaven” and “She was a young talent who lived passionately; it is truly heartbreaking.”

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original