A 25-year-old student died while participating in the Seoul half marathon on October 11, 2026, approximately 500 meters from the finish line. The cause of death for Yu Ji Won, a graduating student at the prestigious Korea Advanced Institute of Science Technology (KAIST), remains unknown. She was a running influencer, regularly posting about her training and results on Instagram. Her tragic death has brought attention to the safety of running, a sport that has become increasingly popular in South Korea. An estimated 10 million of South Korea’s 51 million citizens identify as regular runners, drawn to the accessibility of the sport. Following the pandemic, marathon participation has soared in South Korea, from 19 races in 2020 to 254 races with over one million participants in 2024. In response to Yu Ji Won’s death, the Korean Academy of Clinical Medicine has urged the government to strengthen safety management at large-scale sporting events, including dedicated medical personnel and equipment.