North Korea reopens International Marathon after 6 years, welcomes 200 foreign athletes

(CLO) On April 6, North Korea re-organized the Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time after a 6-year hiatus, with the participation of about 200 foreign athletes.

Athletes from China, Romania and several other countries arrived in Pyongyang from April 4-5 to prepare for the competition. They were arranged to train at a local hotel.

Simon Cockerell, managing director of Koryo Tours – a Beijing-based tour operator and official marathon partner – shared a series of images of the preparations on Instagram, showing neighbourhoods and entertainment venues in the North Korean capital.

Runners at the 30th Pyongyang International Marathon in Pyongyang, North Korea in 2019. Photo: KCNA

This is a rare event with an international element in a country that has almost completely closed its borders since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020.

This year's race takes a round-trip route through central Pyongyang, iconic landmarks, out into the suburbs and back into the city, finishing at a 50,000-capacity stadium.

Despite allowing some Russian tour groups into the country from 2023, North Korea has kept its capital closed to mainstream tourists. The marathon's resumption is a sign of a gradual opening up.

The Pyongyang International Marathon is part of a series of events to celebrate the birthday of late leader Kim Il Sung - the founder of North Korea and grandfather of leader Kim Jong Un - which takes place every April 15.

Hoai Phuong (according to KCNA, Rodong Sinmun, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trieu-tien-mo-lai-giai-marathon-quoc-te-sau-6-nam-don-200-vdv-nuoc-ngoai-post341680.html