A woman in her 20s collapsed and died after taking part in the half-marathon course of the 2026 Seoul Race held in Seoul's Jongno District over the weekend.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and other sources on the 12th, the runner, identified only as A, collapsed at the 20.6-kilometer mark near Gwancheol-dong in Jongno District at about 8:49 a.m. the previous day.
A race official who found her called emergency services, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed at the scene. She was taken to a nearby hospital without regaining consciousness and died later that day.
The Seoul Race organizing committee announced her death on its official website on the 12th, saying, "We bring devastating news to all participants who joined us at the 2026 Seoul Race."
"We pray for the repose of the deceased and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family facing this sudden grief," the committee said. "We also offer words of comfort to participants whose hearts will be heavy upon hearing this sad news."
"We will closely examine the circumstances and continue with necessary follow-up measures," it added. "Once again, we mourn the deceased from the bottom of our hearts and extend sincere condolences to the family." Organizers are investigating the exact cause of death.
The Seoul Race, held for the 24th time this year, started from Seoul Plaza at about 7:30 a.m. on the 11th and ran through central Seoul, including Jongno, Dongdaemun, Sungnyemun, Euljiro and Cheonggyecheon. The event was divided into two categories — a 21.0975-kilometer half-marathon and an 11-kilometer course — and drew 12,000 participants.