North Korea has staged the Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time in six decades, welcoming some 200 international riders to pound the pavements of the lonely country’s money.
The workout, which was launched in 1981, took position every in April to commemorate the birth of its foundation leader Kim Il Sung.
Before Sunday’s workout, the contest was next held in 2019, wherein 950 immigrants participated. North Korea sealed itself the following month, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
North Korea has been slower to resume since, allowing only Russian tourists into its investment since last year.
Athletes have had to enter the country as part of an planned visit party, as was the case before the pandemic.
Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based travel agency listed as an “exclusive partner” on the event website, offers six-day marathon tours at 2, 195 euros ($ 2, 406 ) including flights to and from Beijing.
” The Pyongyang Marathon is an extremely unique experience as it provides an opportunity to connect with citizens”, the agency wrote on its site.
Today’s workout way took participants past landmarks across the area, including the Kim Il Sung facility, the Arch of Triumph built to celebrate Kim Il Sung’s part in resisting Chinese rule, and the Mirae Future Scientists ‘ Street said to be a private district for scientists and engineers.
Pictures virtual show the venue- where runners start and finish their competition- filled with spectators, many of them cheering and waving gold-coloured report flags.
Pak Kum Dong, a North Korean skater, told Reuters reports agency:” The sight of our folks on me helped me to endure the difficulties whenever I feel tired”.
There is no publicly available information on race results.
North Korea had only statred to scale back Covid-19 restrictions in the middle of 2023.
In Feburary, it allowed some Western tourists into the remote, eastern city Rason, but suspended those tours just weeks after.