North Korea Revives Pyongyang International Marathon After Six-Year Hiatus

The Pyongyang International Marathon marked its return in 2023, drawing around 200 foreign participants to celebrate the country's founding leader, Kim Il Sung. The event, which had been suspended since 2019 due to pandemic-related restrictions, allows foreign runners a rare glimpse into the reclusive nation while emphasizing the ongoing complexities of tourism in North Korea.

North Korea has successfully revived the Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time in six years, welcoming approximately 200 foreign runners to its capital city. Originally established in 1981, the marathon served as an annual commemoration of the birth of the nation’s founding leader, Kim Il Sung. The event had not taken place since 2019, when it attracted nearly 950 foreign participants before the country effectively closed its borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the onset of the pandemic, North Korea has been slow to reopen its borders. It has only permitted select foreign visitors, largely Russian tourists, into the capital. This resumption of the marathon indicates a cautious step toward recovery. Participants, including international runners, were required to enter the country as part of a pre-organized tour group.

Beijing-based Koryo Tours, the designated travel agency for this year’s marathon, offered six-day packages for 2,195 euros ($2,406), inclusive of flights from Beijing to Pyongyang. The agency described the marathon as “an extremely unique experience” that allows for interactions with local residents.

The marathon route provided runners with views of significant landmarks, including the Kim Il Sung Stadium, the Arch of Triumph, and Mirae Future Scientists' Street, a residential area designated for scientists and engineers. Many local spectators gathered at the stadium, cheering excitedly as runners began and concluded their races, with some waving gold-colored flags.

Pak Kum Dong, a local runner, expressed that the support from his compatriots helped him persevere despite fatigue. However, there remains a lack of publicly accessible information regarding the race results.

As North Korea began to lift some pandemic restrictions in early 2023, it allowed a limited number of Western tourists back into the country, although their re-entry has since faced further interruptions. The marathon’s successful execution represents both a celebratory return to international events and the ongoing complexities surrounding tourism in North Korea.