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Pyongyang Marathon Returns After Six-Year Hiatus

North Korea hosts its first international marathon since the pandemic, signaling cautious re-engagement with the world.

A North Korean flag flutters at the propaganda village of Gijungdong in North Korea, in this picture taken near the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, South Korea, July 19, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/Pool/File Photo
Participants take part in the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang on April 6, 2025, as part of celebrations marking the birth of North Korea's founding leader Kim Il Sung in 1912. The last edition of the Pyongyang Marathon was held in 2019 before the pandemic, during which the nuclear-armed state sealed its borders in an effort to contain the virus.
Participants take part in the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon in Pyongyang on April 6, 2025, as part of celebrations marking the birth of North Korea's founding leader Kim Il Sung in 1912. The last edition of the Pyongyang Marathon was held in 2019 before the pandemic, during which the nuclear-armed state sealed its borders in an effort to contain the virus.
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Overview

  • The Pyongyang International Marathon, held on April 6, 2025, marked North Korea's first major international event since 2019.
  • Approximately 200 foreign visitors, including 180 runners from countries such as China and Romania, participated in the event.
  • The marathon route showcased central Pyongyang landmarks, countryside areas, and concluded at Kim Il Sung Stadium, with 50,000 local spectators cheering.
  • The event was organized by Beijing-based Koryo Tours and coincided with celebrations for the April 15 birthday of Kim Il Sung, North Korea's founding leader.
  • This marathon highlights North Korea's gradual reopening after years of pandemic-related isolation, offering rare access to the tightly controlled capital.