North Korea has hosted the first Pyongyang International Marathon in six years, with hundreds of runners taking to the streets of the capital.
Numerous foreign athletes arrived in the city ahead of the race, which was held on Sunday as part of celebrations marking the birth of the country’s founding leader, Kim Il Sung, in 1912.
Photos captured foreign runners crossing the starting line at Kim Il Sung Stadium, some snapping pictures on their phones, while North Korean spectators cheered them on.
Another image showed North Korean and foreign runners competing on the streets of Pyongyang, with citizens lining the route to watch.
The marathon is the largest international sporting event in the reclusive Asian nation, offering a rare opportunity for visitors to run through the tightly controlled capital.
Images posted on the Instagram account of Simon Cockerell, general manager of Koryo Tours—which organizes trips for foreign amateur runners to participate—showed crowds cheering as the athletes passed by.
“A few pics of today’s Pyongyang Marathon in North Korea. Amazing event and a race like no other,” Cockerell wrote.
The last edition of the marathon was held in 2019. The following year, the nuclear-armed state closed its borders in an effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Pyongyang Marathon is an extremely unique experience as it provides an opportunity to interact with locals,” Koryo Tours stated on its website. “An experience truly like no other.”
“North Korea is a complex and fascinating place that intrigues many people,” Cockerell told Australian broadcaster SBS.
“And while it is certainly not for everyone, it definitely appeals to those curious about the experience of visiting such a country and seeing what they can.”
The marathon is listed on the website of the global governing body, World Athletics.
In 2019, about 950 foreigners participated, up from roughly 450 the previous year. This year, around 180 runners from overseas were expected to take part.
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