Pyongyang Marathon held for the first time in six years by North Korea

North Korea on Sunday hosted its first Pyongyang International Marathon in six years, welcoming foreign athletes back into the secretive nation, which had kept its borders tightly shut during the COVID-19 pandemic. This much-anticipated event marks a significant step toward international engagement as the country gradually eases its pandemic-related restrictions.

According to state-run media outlets KCNA and Rodong Sinmun, athletes from countries including China, Romania, and others have traveled to Pyongyang to compete in the race. Roughly 200 international participants arrived in the North Korean capital on Friday and Saturday to take part in the marathon. Some runners were seen preparing for the event with warm-up sessions at a local hotel, as documented on Instagram by Simon Cockerell, the general manager of Beijing-based Koryo Tours. The company, which has long served as the official international travel partner for the Pyongyang Marathon, facilitates sign-ups and logistics for overseas competitors.

North Korea had completely closed its borders in early 2020 as the coronavirus began spreading globally. While most of the world gradually reopened, North Korea maintained a strict lockdown for years. Since 2023, however, the country has begun slowly loosening some of its entry restrictions. It has permitted limited groups of tourists from Russia, though regular tourism to Pyongyang remains off-limits for the general public.

The Pyongyang International Marathon, also known as the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, is held annually in celebration of the April 15 birthday of Kim Il Sung, the founding leader of North Korea and the grandfather of Kim Jong Un, the country’s current leader. The race follows a scenic route through the heart of Pyongyang, passing notable landmarks and heading briefly into the nearby countryside before concluding at Kim Il Sung Stadium, where as many as 50,000 spectators gather to cheer on the athletes in a rare moment of public festivity with an international flavor.