North Korea recently hosted its first Pyongyang International Marathon in six years, with over 500 participants, including more than 200 international runners from 40 countries. The event, held on April 6, marked the country’s return to hosting marathons after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, runners from the United States, South Korea, and Malaysia were reportedly not allowed to participate due to tensions with North Korea. The marathon was organized in honor of the birthday of Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s founder, which falls on April 15.
The opening ceremony took place at the Kim Il Sung Stadium, where more than 50,000 spectators cheered on the amateur runners. The course of the marathon ran through central Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, and into the countryside before looping back to the stadium.
Participants had the option to compete in a 5k, 10k, 21k, or full marathon categories. In the men’s full marathon, Pak Kum Dong from Korea emerged as the winner, finishing the 26.2-mile race in an impressive two hours, 12 minutes, and eight seconds. Jon Su Gyong, also from Korea, secured first place in the women’s race with a time of two hours, 25 minutes, and 48 seconds.
The event marked a significant moment for North Korea, which had closed its borders at the start of the pandemic in 2020 and has been gradually reopening since 2023. The Pyongyang International Marathon served as a celebration of sportsmanship and unity among participants from around the world.
