North Korea is holding Pyongyang’s first international marathon in six years

For the first time in six years, North Korea spent the International Marathon Pyongyang, welcoming about 200 foreign runners on the streets of the capital of a full country.

The marathon, which was launched in 1981, was held annually in April to celebrate the birth of its founder Kim Il Song.

By the Sunday Marathon, the race last took place in 2019, which involved 950 foreigners. North Korea sealed next year when the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since last year, North Korea has slowly opened, allowing only Russian tourists to its capital.

The runners had to enter the country as part of an organized tourist group, as it was in front of the pandemic.

Koryo Tours, a tourist agency based in Beijing, on the “exclusive partner” list on the event site, offers a six -day marathon tours of 2195 euros (2406), including flights to Beijing and from it.

“Pyongyang’s marathon is an extremely unique experience because it gives an opportunity to interact with the locals,” the agency wrote on her site.

On Sunday, the marathon route spent the participants past the sights in the city, including at Kim Il stadium, the Triumph Arch, built to honor the role of Kim Il Sung in resistance to Japanese government, and the street of future scientists said that it was a residential area for scientists and engineers.

Photos on the Internet show the stadium – where the runners start and end the race – filled with viewers, many of them encourage and waved with paper flags.

Pak Kum Dong, North Korean running, said Reuters Agency: “Our people’s eyes helped me endure the difficulties when I feel tired.”

There is no public information about the results of the race.

North Korea had only large-scale COVID-19 restrictions in the middle of 2023.

In Faburora, this allowed some Western tourists to the remote, eastern city of Rasan, but stopped these tours Just a few weeks.