Foreigners run in relaunched Pyongyang marathon
Pyongyang Marathon is one of several events celebrating the birthday of Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea and Kim Jong-un's grandfather - Kim Won Jin/AFP
North Korea held its first Pyongyang Marathon in six years on Sunday, and allowed foreigners to take part.
The marathon is one of several events celebrating the birthday of Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea and the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un, on April 15.
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Athletes from China, Ethiopia, Romania and Morocco participated. Photos from Pyongyang show foreign runners starting the race at Kim Il-sung Stadium, some taking pictures, while North Korean spectators cheer. Other photos show local and foreign runners competing further along the route.
Around 200 foreign visitors arrived in Pyongyang on Friday and Saturday, with participants conducting practice runs at their hotel accommodation before Sunday's race, reported Simon Cockerell, general manager of Beijing-based Koryo Tours.
Koryo Tours, the official partner for the marathon, facilitated the registration process for international competitors.
Around 200 foreign visitors arrived in Pyongyang to cheer on the marathon runners - Kim Won Jin/AFP
The company described the race as a circuit course running through central Pyongyang, passing major landmarks before extending into rural areas and returning to a stadium filled with 50,000 spectators.
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'The Pyongyang Marathon is an extremely unique experience as it provides an opportunity to interact with locals,' the Beijing-based firm said on its website. 'An experience truly like no other.'
Mr Cockerell said: 'North Korea is a complex and fascinating place that intrigues many people.'
He added: 'And while it is certainly not for everyone, it definitely appeals to those curious about the experience of visiting such a country and seeing what they can.'
State television footage showed large crowds of North Koreans on Sunday – some wearing protective masks – greeting the runners upon their arrival at the stadium.
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According to state media, a North Korean runner was the first to cross the finish line.
The last Pyongyang Marathon was in 2019 before North Korea closed its borders during the Covid pandemic.
Pyongyang's international marathon represents a gradual reopening of North Korea's borders since the Covid pandemic in 2020 - Kim Won Jin/AFP
The marathon represents a significant step in North Korea's gradual reopening after sealing its borders completely in early 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic.
While the country began slowly lifting restrictions in 2023, including allowing Russian tourist groups entry, Pyongyang has remained largely closed to regular tourism.
The reopening follows a brief and limited experiment with Western tourism in February, when visitors were permitted to enter the remote eastern city of Rason for the first time in five years.
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However, the plan was abruptly suspended in early March without explanation, with several tour companies announcing cancellations 'until further notice'.
Tourists who participated in the February Rason visits reported even tighter controls than before the pandemic, with limited opportunities for independent movement or interaction with local residents.
Communications services, including phone signals and internet access, remained unavailable to visitors.
Flag raising ceremony at Kim Il-sung Stadium for the Pyongyang Marathon - Kim Won Jin/AFP
Before the pandemic, North Korea hosted around 350,000 foreign tourists annually, with Chinese nationals accounting for about 90 per cent of visitors, according to media reports.
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The tourism sector had been a source of foreign currency for North Korea's heavily sanctioned economy.
North Korean authorities have not said whether the Sunday marathon represents a broader reopening strategy or only a one-time exception for the prestigious sporting event.
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