North Korea hosts foreign runners in first Pyongyang marathon after pandemic | World News

North Korea held its Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time in six years, and welcomed about 200 foreign runners to the reclusive country’s capital as it largely shut its borders since the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a report North Korea’s state TV, athletes from China, Ethiopia and other countries participated in the marathon, which started in 1981 and was being held every year in April to commemorate the birth of the country’s founder leader Kim II Sung.
Several events are held to celebrate the birthday of current leader Kim Jong Un’s grandfather, Kim II Sung, which falls on April 15.

Ahead of the Sunday event, the marathon was last held in 2019 when around 950 foreign athletes had participated in the multi-faceted event.
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North Korean Pak Kum Dong wins during the Pyongyang International Marathon in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)
However, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un had ordered to reportedly seal the country in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic had hit the world. The country opened after the withdrawal of the pandemic but its been a slow process as it allowed only Russian tours into its capital since 2024.

At least 200 foreigners arrived in Pyongyang on Friday and Saturday and they practiced for the marathon at a hotel for the event held on Sunday, said Beijing-based Koryo Tours General Manager Simon Cockerell.
The Koryo Tours is the official partner of the marathon being held in Pyongyang and it helps the international competitors in the sign-up process as an athlete can enter North Korea only as part of an organised tour group.
“The Pyongyang Marathon is an extremely unique experience as it provides an opportunity to interact with locals,” Koryo Tours wrote on its official website.
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