South Korean runners spark debate over memorial runs

A controversy has emerged in South Korea following the death of Yoo Ji-won, a KAIST graduate student and running influencer, who collapsed during the 2026 Seoul Race half-marathon on October 11. Yoo died after collapsing approximately 500 meters from the finish line; her exact cause of death has not been disclosed.

In the wake of her passing, several runners have shared their workout logs on social media, labeling them as “memorial runs” or “mourning runs.” Some posts included messages such as, “Yoo Ji-won, we’ll run the remaining 500 meters for you.”

The trend has divided online communities. Critics argue that posting athletic achievements and digital records as a form of tribute is inappropriate and may appear to use a tragedy to draw attention to personal fitness milestones. Some expressed concern that sharing the deceased's name and image without family consent could cause further distress to her relatives. Conversely, supporters defend the practice, stating that runners express grief in various ways and that these activities are sincere attempts to honor her memory.