Seoul running clubs

Whether you monitor split times like a Kenyan track coach or haven’t yet broken a 15-minute mile, there’s a Seoul running club that will take you seriously.

Some of the clubs listed below require annual membership fees, but allow you to try them out before committing. 

Seoul Flyers

With 164 members and growing, Seoul Flyers is one of the biggest running clubs in the city. Members are a mix of Korean nationals and expats, but English is the lingua franca.

Experience levels vary, from ultra-marathoners to those running 10Ks in an hour and 30 minutes. Most members participate in one race a month -- more in spring and fall.

Join the club for weekly Tuesday track workouts, Thursday hill workouts or Saturday morning 10K runs.

Show up at any of their training runs with your running shoes. Novice runners are encouraged to start with Saturday morning runs.

For more information, visit the Seoul Flyers website or visit their Facebook page, “Seoul Flyers.”

SmileRun

SmileRun builds its running schedule around the major South Korean marathons: the Seoul International Marathon (a.k.a. Dong-a Marathon) in March, Chuncheon Marathon in October and Joongang Marathon in November.

Training runs are typically held Thursday evenings and vary from easy and moderate to hill- and speed-training. Long runs are held on weekends.

Check the SmileRun website here for specific dates and times.

Seoul Hash House Harriers

Dubbing itself a running club with a drinking problem, Seoul Hash Harriers is an all-male running club that has been around since the 1970s.

The hook? Beer!

Seoul’s Hash House Harriers chapter is one of many H3 clubs around the world famous for pairing running with drinking.

SH3 meets for weekly runs on Saturdays at 3 p.m. in Itaewon. To cap off runs, Harriers usually hunker down at Dolce Vita bar for a pint or five.

This is a brawny option for Seoul runners. Member team names such as Timberballs
and LeperCon should clue you in to the crowd you’ll be running with.

For more information, visit the Seoul Hash House Harriers website or join their Facebook page, “Korea Hash House Harriers.”

Seoul PMS Hash House Harriers

The female version of the all-male SH3, Seoul PMS meets on the fourth Saturday of every month at 4 p.m.

For more information, check out the club’s website or visit their Facebook page, “Seoul PMS H3.”

Seoul Synergy International Triathlon & Cycling Club

For hardcore athletes, Seoul Synergy offers a trifecta of competitive sports: running, cycling and swimming.

Seoul Synergy’s 35 or so members are an international co-ed mix of Korean nationals and expat residents. Anywhere from two to eight members show up for weekly training runs on Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays.

Seoul Synergy’s Saturday morning cycling sessions draw bigger crowds. All are welcome to training sessions.

Group (not individual) running paces range from 8:45- to 11-minute miles.

For more information, visit the Seoul Synergy International Triathlon & Cycling Club website.

Club Marathon

Find information on upcoming races, racing tips and other relevant information for Korea-based runners at the Club Marathon website.