“I Don’t Remember the Moment of the Accident”: Woman Who Finished Marathon Crashes Car Onto Sidewalk

Carnival Crashes Onto Sidewalk in Chuncheon, Seriously Injuring Two Pedestrians
More Incidents Follow Death of Runner in Her 20s at Seoul Race
Health Management Also Important After Completing a Marathon

A woman in her 40s who had completed a full marathon of 42.195 kilometers crashed her vehicle onto a sidewalk while heading home, injuring pedestrians. The driver reportedly said she could not remember what happened at the time of the accident. As incidents in which marathon participants collapse and die have recently occurred both in South Korea and overseas, attention is turning to the physical toll of long-distance running and the importance of safety management before and after races.

A woman in her 40s who had completed the full marathon distance of 42.195 km drove her car onto a sidewalk while heading home, injuring pedestrians. Gangwon Fire Headquarters.

According to police and fire authorities on October 26, a Carnival minivan driven by a woman in her 40s crashed onto a sidewalk at a three-way intersection near the futsal field at Uiam Park in Samcheon-dong, Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, at around 2:50 p.m. on October 25. A 65-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were seriously injured, while a 35-year-old pedestrian suffered abrasions. All three were taken to a hospital.

According to the Gangwon Domin Ilbo and other media outlets, the woman, identified only as A, was involved in the accident while heading home after completing the full course at the 80th National Marathon Championships and 2026 Chosun Ilbo Chuncheon Marathon held that day. A reportedly told police that she could not remember the moment of the accident. Police are investigating the exact circumstances, including the possibility that she experienced a temporary loss of consciousness after completing the marathon.

Minivan Crashes Onto Sidewalk Near Uiam Park in Chuncheon; Driver Cannot Remember Accident

There have also been incidents in which participants collapsed at recent marathon events. At the half marathon of the 2026 Seoul Race, held in central Seoul on October 11, a woman in her 20s, a graduate student at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and a running influencer, collapsed about 500 meters from the finish line. Event staff performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and she was taken to a hospital, but she ultimately died. She reportedly ran regularly and had recorded strong times in marathon events.

Similar incidents have also occurred overseas. At the Portland Marathon in Oregon on October 4, a 24-year-old male participant suffered cardiac arrest during the race and died. On the same day, a 36-year-old male participant collapsed while running in the Lakefront Half Marathon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was taken to a hospital but died.

Marathons do offer health benefits, including improved cardiorespiratory endurance, but prolonged, high-intensity exercise can also place considerable strain on the body. In particular, after completing a full marathon, people may experience dehydration, low blood sugar, a drop in blood pressure, or an electrolyte imbalance, so caution is necessary.

Watch for Physical Changes After Long-Distance Running, Including Dehydration and a Drop in Blood Pressure

According to medical professionals at the University of Utah, abruptly stopping after intense running can cause blood to pool in the blood vessels in the legs, leading to a sharp drop in blood pressure. This may cause dizziness or fainting. Energy depletion and insufficient fluids from long-distance running are also factors to watch for. Losing a large amount of fluid through sweat can reduce blood volume, while inadequate energy intake can cause symptoms of low blood sugar.

A participant receives emergency treatment after collapsing from exhaustion during the Ulsan Marathon last November. Ulsan Fire Headquarters, Yonhap News.

Conversely, drinking too much water can also lead to hyponatremia, a condition in which the sodium concentration in the blood becomes too low. Therefore, after long-distance running, it is important to cool down properly, replenish fluids and nutrients, and rest. In particular, anyone experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, extreme fatigue, or confusion should avoid driving, seek medical attention, and take precautions to stay safe.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.