South Korean Running Star Dies Just Before Half Marathon Finish

(Yoo Ji-won. Photo credit: Resonate Voice)

South Korean running influencer Yoo Ji-won died after collapsing near the end of a half marathon in Seoul on Sunday, October 11.

She was 25.

The Seoul Race organising committee said in a statement on Monday that she collapsed less than half a mile from the finish line.

She was taken to a medical facility, where she later died.

Authorities have not yet determined a cause of death.

Her friend and fellow running creator Bummy said he saw a crowd near the finish and later rushed to the hospital, but arrived too late.

The race committee said it will look closely into the matter and take any necessary follow up steps.

Ji-won had more than 8,000 followers online, where she shared her runs and achievements.

She also worked as an artificial intelligence semiconductor researcher at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

Her last post, on October 4, shared her time from a recent 10 kilometre run.

Friends and fans have paid tribute to her online.