North Korea holds first Pyongyang marathon since closing borders during Covid-19 pandemic
About 200 foreign athletes took part in the event, one of several held to celebrate April 15 birthday of Kim Il-sung, North Korea’s founder
North Korea on Sunday held its first Pyongyang International Marathon in six years, hosting foreign runners in the reclusive country that has largely closed its borders since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Athletes from China, Ethiopia and other countries took part in the event, according to state TV. The marathon is one of several events held to celebrate the April 15 birthday of Kim Il-sung, North Korea’s founder and grandfather of current leader, Kim Jong-un.
About 200 foreigners arrived on Friday and Saturday in Pyongyang where those running practised at a hotel for the Sunday race, said Simon Cockerell, general manager at Beijing-based Koryo Tours, in Instagram posts.
The Koryo Tours is an official partner of the Pyongyang Marathon, aiding the sign-up process for international competitors.
The isolated state sealed its borders in 2020 at the start of the pandemic but has been slowly lifting restrictions since 2023.
It has allowed Russian tourist groups into the country but its capital remains closed to regular tourism.
The marathon is a return course running through central Pyongyang, passing major landmarks and heading out into the countryside before coming back through the city to a stadium filled with 50,000 spectators, Koryo Tours said.