Controversy surrounds trend of memorial runs for deceased South Korean marathoner

A trend of posting running results to remember Yoo Ji-won, who passed away just 500 m from the finish line of a half-marathon, has sparked debate in South Korea between genuine tribute and fishing for likes on social media.

Yoo, 25, a graduate student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), collapsed near the finish line during the Seoul Race on Oct. 11. According to local media, the exact cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed.

She was a prominent figure in the South Korean running community. On her Instagram account, she frequently shared her race results, training photos and personal experiences related to the sport.

In the days following her passing, many runners began posting photos of their runs on social media as a tribute. This trend, dubbed "mourning run" or "memorial run," features posts that display personal performance data alongside messages of condolence.

One individual shared a certificate for completing a 25 km in 2 hours and 29 minutes, dedicating the result to Yoo, writing that they would run the remaining 500 m for her.

According to The Korea Herald, numerous other runners have shared their running distances and completion times, accompanied by hashtags such as #mourningrun and #memorialrun.

However, these posts have quickly become a subject of controversy. Some social media users have questioned the motives of the participants, suggesting that publicizing personal results under the guise of a memorial might be a bid for attention rather than a genuine expression of grief.

Some even compared the act to visiting a shooting range to commemorate victims of gun violence, arguing that running to honor someone who passed away during a run is inappropriate.

On the other hand, many runners have strongly defended the trend. They argue that running is the most natural and meaningful way for the community to show solidarity and remember someone who shared their passion. For these athletes, continuing to run the distance that Yoo could not complete serves as a powerful symbolic gesture, rather than an act of showing off.

Memorial runs have taken place in many countries for a long time. Following the 2022 murder of Memphis runner Eliza Fletcher, about 30 people took part in a memorial run in her honor, according to ABC News.

An annual community running event has been held in Manchester, England, since 2023 to commemorate Mike Dunne, an avid runner who passed away from cancer.

A similar case to Yoo’s occurred during the Great North Run in the U.K. in September 2024. Sam Wealleans, 29, collapsed and died 3.4 km from the finish line of the half-marathon. Following the tragedy, the local running community organized an event to complete the distance Wealleans had left unfinished.

About 800 people gathered in his hometown of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea to run or walk 3.4 km along the coast. According to ITV News, this activity helped push the total amount raised in Wealleans’s memory to over £30,000 (US$40,190).

The controversy surrounding the trend of memorial runs for Yoo unfolded during a running boom in South Korea. According to The Korea Times, more than 10 million people in the country now identify as regular runners.

Requiring minimal equipment, the sport gained momentum following the Covid-19 pandemic as urban residents transitioned from indoor gyms to outdoor spaces.

The number of official marathons held in South Korea has also skyrocketed. According to Asia Business Daily, citing data provided by the police to the National Assembly, the country hosted 19 marathon events in 2020, 49 in 2021, 142 in 2022 and 205 in 2023. By 2024, that number had surged to 254, attracting over a million participants.

This rapid growth has set demands for better event organization and safety protocols. Following Yoo's death, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) urged the government to tighten safety management for mass events, according to Jeonnam Ilbo.

The KMA emphasized that the government must ensure emergency medical provisions, with medical personnel and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) outlined within the safety management plans for all running events.

The association also advised runners to stop immediately and seek assistance if they experience any unusual symptoms, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing. Those with heart conditions, a history of fainting during physical activities, or a family history of sudden, premature death must consult a doctor before registering for events.