Pyongyang marathon returns after 6-year hiatus with hundred of foreign athletes



News Pyongyang marathon returns after 6-year hiatus with hundred of foreign athletes Sporting event marked first time non-Russian tourists were allowed to visit the capital city since before the pandemic Shreyas Reddy April 7, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean and foreign runners participating in the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon \| Image: KCNA (April 7, 2025) Hundreds of local and foreign runners took to the streets of Pyongyang on Sunday as North Korea hosted its premier international marathon race for the first time in six years, showcasing the capital’s readiness to welcome visitors from across the world when authorities decide to resume tourism. After five consecutive cancellations, the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon saw over 500 “elite” athletes and amateur runners participating in the marathon, half marathon, 10 km and 5 km races, the North Korea-focused travel agency Koryo Tours said in a press release on Sunday. Hundreds of local and foreign runners took to the streets of Pyongyang on Sunday as North Korea hosted its premier international marathon race for the first time in six years, showcasing the capital’s readiness to welcome visitors from across the world when authorities decide to resume tourism. After five consecutive cancellations, the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon saw over 500 “elite” athletes and amateur runners participating in the marathon, half marathon, 10 km and 5 km races, the North Korea-focused travel agency Koryo Tours said in a press release on Sunday. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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Pyongyang marathon returns after 6-year hiatus with hundred of foreign athletes

Sporting event marked first time non-Russian tourists were allowed to visit the capital city since before the pandemic

Shreyas Reddy April 7, 2025

Pyongyang marathon returns after 6-year hiatus with hundred of foreign athletes

North Korean and foreign runners participating in the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon | Image: KCNA (April 7, 2025)

Hundreds of local and foreign runners took to the streets of Pyongyang on Sunday as North Korea hosted its premier international marathon race for the first time in six years, showcasing the capital’s readiness to welcome visitors from across the world when authorities decide to resume tourism.

After five consecutive cancellations, the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon saw over 500 “elite” athletes and amateur runners participating in the marathon, half marathon, 10 km and 5 km races, the North Korea-focused travel agency Koryo Tours said in a press release on Sunday.

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Pyongyang marathon returns after 6-year hiatus with hundred of foreign athletes

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