North Korea welcomed foreign athletes in its capital this Sunday, celebrating the return of the Pyongyang International Marathon after a six year break caused by COVID-19 restrictions. This race, held in honor of the late founder Kim Il Sung's birthday on April 15, attracted runners from countries like China and Ethiopia. It is a cautious move towards reopening the isolated nation, which had shut its borders back in 2020.
A group of about 200 foreign runners went to Pyongyang on Friday and Saturday, as reported by Koryo Tours, the agency that handled the international registrations. Before the race, participants trained at nearby hotels for a course that wound through the city's iconic sights and scenic countryside, which would end in a stadium filled with 50,000 enthusiastic fans. Footage from state TV showed the excitement amongst the spectators, showing masked crowds cheering on the runners, while foreign visitors snapped photos of the things around them.
The marathon is happening just as North Korea is slowly starting to ease its pandemic restrictions, although regular tourism to Pyongyang is still off limits. Since late 2023, the country has allowed a few limited tourist groups, like those from Russia, but they’re keeping a close watch on everything. This event provided a unique opportunity to see the capital, with state media showcasing the atmosphere.