North Korea Hosts First International Marathon Since 2019

The Pyongyang International Marathon welcomed 200 foreign runners as part of Kim Il Sung birthday celebrations, signaling a cautious reopening after years of isolation.

The Pyongyang International Marathon took place on April 6, 2025, marking North Korea's first major international event since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Approximately 200 foreign runners from countries including China, Ethiopia, Romania, and Morocco participated, facilitated by Beijing-based Koryo Tours.
The marathon, part of celebrations for the April 15 birthday of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, followed a return course through Pyongyang and concluded at Kim Il Sung Stadium with 50,000 spectators.
Pak Kum Dong, a North Korean runner, was reported by state media to have won the marathon, which is listed by World Athletics as an official event.
While the event highlights North Korea's gradual reopening, regular tourism to the capital remains restricted, and the broader implications for future international engagement are unclear.