Campus News
University Running League
작성자HANBAT HERALD 조회수76 등록일2025-02-11University Running League
By Jeong Eui-seok Reporter, Sophomore of Information and Communication Engineering
In recent years, running has firmly established itself as a global fitness trend. According to the BBC, the 2025 London Marathon saw a record-breaking number of applicants, with over 840,000 people registering, significantly surpassing last year’s numbers. This trend is not unique to London. Fast Company, a U.S. business news outlet, reports that 96 percent of various races organized by New York’s non-profit group, New York Road Runners (NYRR), were sold out in 2023 due to high demand. In South Korea, running has also become more familiar to the public, with celebrities sharing their running routines on social media. But why has running become so popular? Fast Company links the rise to the pandemic. With indoor workouts limited, many people have turned to running. It's an outdoor activity that does not need much equipment and is easy to start. This shift has continued post-pandemic, further cementing running's place as a popular sport.
The Rise and Growth of the University Running League
Running's popularity is also thriving at universities. Across various universities in South Korea, numerous running crews have emerged, supported by the running craze. Examples are Seoul National University’s ‘Dalisha’ and Korea University’s ‘KUTR.’ HBNU is no exception. In 2021, a running crew named ‘Heartbeat’ was founded, and it has been keeping well so far. Riding this wave of enthusiasm, the University Running League was launched in 2023, creating a platform where students can connect and compete, transcending their schools and local communities.
The University Running League started with its first season in the summer of 2023, followed by the second season in the fall, and the third in the summer of 2024. At the time of writing, all three leagues have been completed, with more planned for the future. In the first season, 21 universities participated, and over the following seasons, 35 universities joined together.
The scoring system of the University Running League has evolved with each season. In the first season, 20 runners were selected per crew, and the total distance covered by each team was compared to determine the winner. However, starting from the second season, a ‘Mission Run’ was introduced. This new system removed the limit on the number of participants per crew, and the final score was calculated by adding the Mission Run score to the total distance score and then dividing it by the number of participants. The Mission Run is divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, with points awarded for completing the set running schedules within the league period. Recently, the difficulty levels have been further subdivided to include beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert categories, and the scoring system has been improved for fairness. Awards are presented to the top three crews in the crew rankings and the top three male and female runners in the individual rankings.
HBNU in the University Running League
The University Running League is more than just a competition to test running skills between universities. Its main purpose is to provide a space for students with a shared passion for running to meet, build friendships, and connect through their love of the sport. As such, the University Running League organizes various events that bring together crews from different universities, such as the Opening Ceremony, Campus Run, and Closing Ceremony. At the Opening Ceremony, running crews from all over the country gather to introduce themselves and take time in training sessions led by professional running coaches. The Campus Run is an event where crews from different universities gather at one campus to run such as Kyung Hee University Run, Dankook University Run, or KAIST Run. The Closing Ceremony is a chance to wrap up six months of running activities, celebrate the achievements of participants, and host the University Running League’s awards ceremony.
As a founding member of the University Running League, HBNU has consistently participated in the league. It has a strong presence among the many universities participating in the University Running League. In Season 1 of 2023, the university ranked 2nd in the crew rankings and secured 1st and 3rd in the men’s rankings. Although it faced some challenges in Season 2 of 2023 due to changes in the scoring system, it made a successful comeback in Season 1 of 2024, reclaiming 2nd place in the crew rankings and 1st place in the men’s rankings.
Now, let’s meet two key members of the HBNU’s running crew, ‘Heartbeat,’ and hear their stories.
Noh Yun-ho, Junior of Japanese Language
1st place in the men's rankings for the first season of 2023 and the first season of 2024
Q. You have set several impressive records in the University Running League, including 1st place in the men’s rankings for the first season of 2023 and 2024. We heard that your mindset was particularly determined for the 2024 semester. What was your approach going into that season?
A. In the first season of 2023, I ran over 800 km in one month and secured 1st place in the individual rankings. However, in the second season, I didn’t place in the top ranks. I think I was physically and mentally exhausted, and my passion for running had faded a bit. Then, at the awards ceremony for Season 2, seeing someone else in the 1st place spot made mixed emotions in me. I thought, ‘That 1st place should be mine,’ but at the same time, I could fully appreciate how hard that runner must have worked, so I gave them a big round of applause. Also, I decided to reclaim the top position the following year, and that determination carried me through this season.
Q. Do you have any memorable moments from participating in the University Running League?
A. The most memorable part of this season was the time spent with my Heartbeat members. During the competition period, I ran a lot with them. When we met, we shouted “Let’s do this!” together before starting our runs, and motivated each other with words of support, which gave me a lot of strength. After running, we would share meals and talk endlessly about the University Running League. Sometimes we wondered, “Can we get 1st place?” “Can we beat the Seoul National University team?” and “How much more do we need to run to get 1st place as a team?” That enthusiasm pushed everyone, including me, to run even harder. Running alone sometimes felt tedious, and time seemed too slow, but running with my teammates made it a fun and meaningful experience.
Q. How has the University Running League positively impacted you? What does the University Running League mean to you?
A. The University Running League has had two major positive impacts on me. First, it gave me the chance to have various unique experiences. After achieving 1st place in the individual rankings, I received a modeling offer from Musinsa, and I even got an interview with JTBC. These experiences were not something I could easily come by, so they were very meaningful to me. Second, the University Running League helped me grow as a person. By working hard and achieving good results in the competition, I gained confidence that I could accomplish anything if I put in the effort. These experiences significantly boosted my self-esteem and helped me grow. For me, the University Running League was more than just about running. It was an important life experience and a personal challenge.
Kim Hyun-woo, Senior of Creative Convergence Engineering
President of HBNU’s running crew, Heartbeat
Q. Do you have any memorable moments from participating in the University Running League?
A. I have been participating in the University Running League since the first season, yet the most recent season stands out the most. At the start of this season, my goal was to place in the top 5 of the men’s ranking. I set this goal after watching Yun-ho take 1st place, which made me want to achieve something special before graduating. So, I was determined to make it into the top 5 this time. I set a daily goal of running 20 km, split into 10 km in the morning and 10 km in the afternoon. In the first week, I ran a total of 122 km, and I reached 4th place in the individual ranking by the end of the week. Although I dropped in the ranking later due to an injury, I still felt incredibly proud to have been in the top 5 during that first week. It was a rewarding experience that showed me I could achieve my goals if I set my mind.
Q. How has the University Running League positively impacted you?
A. One of the most memorable and positive experiences for me was when our Heartbeat club worked together to finish 2nd place in the University Running League twice. The time we spent running towards a shared goal and supporting each other was precious to me. Regardless of the rankings, these memories have become truly special to me. I’m proud that we placed 2nd twice among more than 30 universities, and I believe that being a part of this running crew will always be a source of pride and cherished memories.
Q. What does the Heartbeat running crew mean to you?
A. As I mentioned earlier, Heartbeat has been a special part of my 20s, creating unforgettable memories. I have made great friends here, achieved good results in the University Running League, and even completed several marathons as part of Heartbeat. For these reasons, Heartbeat will always be a club I remember fondly for a long time.
Have you ever heard of the term ‘Runner’s High?’ It refers to the intense feeling of happiness that runners sometimes experience during a run. If you are thinking about getting into running, why not step outside and give it a try right now? Or, if you already enjoy running, how about representing your school as a participant in the University Running League? Running with students from various universities and sharing the joy of a ‘Runner’s High’ can be a new challenge and an incredible experience. The sense of accomplishment and fulfillment you gain from running is a unique experience that is hard to compare to anything else. So, are you ready to start running?
https://www.fastcompany.com/90975933/running-boom-nyc-2023-marathon-pandemic-racing