Foreign athletes participated in the Pyongyang International Marathon in North Korea, according to the “Adyrna” national portal, citing Deutsche Welle.
This marks the first time since 2019 that foreign runners have taken part in the event. Around 200 international athletes from countries such as China and Romania ran alongside local participants through the streets of the North Korean capital.
In 2019, nearly 950 foreign runners participated in the marathon. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea had completely closed its borders and has been reopening them very slowly.
The marathon was organized in honor of one of North Korea’s major national holidays—the birthday of Kim Il Sung, the country’s founding leader, born on April 15, 1912. He is the grandfather of the current leader, Kim Jong Un.
“The Pyongyang Marathon is a unique experience because it offers a rare chance to interact with local people. North Korea is a complex and fascinating country. Of course, it’s not for everyone, but for those who want a glimpse into a closed society, it’s an unmatched opportunity,” said Simon Cockerell, head of the Beijing-based travel company Koryo Tours, which organizes trips to the marathon.
The race began and ended at Kim Il Sung Stadium, following a route that passed major city landmarks and extended to areas outside the capital. Around 50,000 spectators attended the event.
The Pyongyang Marathon is North Korea’s largest international sporting event listed on the World Athletics website.
Despite such events, North Korea remains internationally isolated due to its nuclear weapons program, frequent violations of missile test agreements, possession of chemical weapons, and support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The country faces numerous international sanctions as a totalitarian and closed state. According to human rights organizations like Amnesty International, the human rights situation in North Korea is among the worst in the world.
