North Korea Revives Excitement with First Pyongyang International Marathon in Six Years!

North Korea recently held its first Pyongyang International Marathon in six years, inviting around 200 foreign runners to the capital. This annual event, which began in 1981, traditionally occurs in April to honor Kim Il Sung’s birthday. The last marathon took place in 2019, with 950 international participants, before the country closed its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then, North Korea has cautiously reopened, allowing only Russian tourists back into Pyongyang. Participants in the marathon had to join organized tours, similar to the arrangements before the pandemic. Koryo Tours, a travel agency in Beijing, offers six-day packages for about €2,195 (approximately $2,406), which includes travel from Beijing.

This year’s marathon course featured notable landmarks, such as the Kim Il Sung Stadium and the Arch of Triumph, built in honor of Kim Il Sung’s resistance against Japanese rule. Photos from the event show a vibrant atmosphere, with fans in the stadium cheering and waving gold-colored flags.

Pak Kum Dong, a North Korean runner, shared his thoughts on the experience, saying, "The eyes of our people on me helped me to bear the difficulties whenever I feel tired." Despite the excitement, results from the race were not publicly shared.

In the broader context, North Korea began easing its COVID-19 rules around mid-2023. In February, it briefly allowed some Western tourists into the eastern city of Rason, but those tours were halted just weeks later.

This marathon not only brought together runners but also served as a rare glimpse into North Korean society for participants and observers. The event highlights how international engagement continues to evolve, even in places with strict travel policies.

For more insights about tourism in North Korea, you can read the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories.

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