Happy Feet: The Seoul Crew Running on Friendship and Fun
In September 2019, a group of approximately 20 people in Seoul, who often saw each other running and exercising in their neighborhood, decided to formalize their community. Looking to create a friendly and supportive group where running was treated as a healthy hobby, Heesu, with the help of Uigeun, Chanyang, and other founding members, planned and formed the Happy Feet running crew. Their simple idea for a local, stress-free community resonated, and the crew has since grown to include more than 100 members.
The philosophy of Happy Feet is perfectly encapsulated in its name. The founders' wish was simply to have fun while running together. Their primary goal is to create a stress-free community where members are united by a shared passion for running and other healthy activities. By creating a comfortable and adaptable environment, they have successfully built a space where the joy of movement and the pleasure of good company are the most important measures of success.
From its origins as a group of 20 neighbors, the Happy Feet community has grown more than fivefold, a testament to their welcoming and positive atmosphere. This impressive growth demonstrates how their simple, relatable mission has resonated with many people seeking a relaxed and friendly way to stay active. The crew is a strong, local force that fosters deep connections among residents of their home districts.
The culture of Happy Feet is all about making running an enjoyable and accessible part of daily life. Their activities are centered around regular group runs that explore their home neighborhoods in northern Seoul. Beyond running, the crew is also bound by a shared interest in "other healthy activities," making them a well-rounded lifestyle community that prioritizes overall well-being and social connection.
Happy Feet extends a warm invitation to anyone in Seoul seeking a comfortable, friendly, and stress-free running community. For those who believe running should be a fun and healthy hobby, not a high-pressure competition, this crew offers a perfect and supportive environment to make new friends.
Happy Feet brings a strong and proud neighborhood identity to Seoul's incredibly diverse running scene. The city is a global hub for running crews, including the massive, app-driven community of CREWGHOST, the creatively minded Mutant_, and the witty, age-diverse Dogani Running Crew. This rich ecosystem ensures that every runner in the South Korean capital can find their community.
The home of Happy Feet is located in the northern districts of Seoul, specifically in Gangbuk-gu and Seongbuk-gu. These are vibrant residential areas known for their rich history and their close proximity to the stunning natural beauty of Bukhansan National Park. This unique location provides runners with a fantastic and varied environment, ranging from urban streets and local parks to challenging mountain trails right on their doorstep.
The crew's running routes explore the heart of their home turf in northern Seoul. A major landmark and popular running spot in the area is the Dream Forest (북서울꿈의숲), one of the largest parks in Seoul, which offers beautiful paths, an art center, and an observatory. The paths along the Jungnangcheon stream, which flows through the eastern part of the city, also provide a scenic and accessible route for their regular runs.
The members of Happy Feet are active participants in Seoul's major racing events, where they can celebrate their healthy hobby with the wider community. The premier event on the calendar is the Seoul Marathon, which takes place annually in March and attracts elite runners from around the world. Another major event is the JTBC Seoul Marathon in the autumn, which also offers several distances and takes runners past some of the capital's most iconic landmarks.
