Runner Clinically Dead for 7 Minutes, Completes Marathon

In June 2024, a 25-year-old woman collapsed during a run in Seoul, South Korea, experiencing cardiac arrest. She was clinically dead for seven minutes, requiring CPR from her boyfriend and an off-duty nurse before being revived by emergency services. Transported to a hospital, she suffered short-term memory loss but eventually recovered.

Doctors determined she had pushed herself beyond her physical and mental limits. The event led to a deep depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, making even simple activities daunting. This experience profoundly changed her perspective on life.

On the first anniversary of her cardiac arrest, she ran a 5-kilometer race, reclaiming the distance that nearly cost her life. She has since completed the 2026 London Marathon, a testament to her recovery and newfound appreciation for life.

Her survival, against odds where only 1 in 10 survive such events in the UK, highlights the critical importance of CPR and rapid defibrillation. She now advocates for learning CPR and living with intention, embracing challenges and cherishing loved ones.