North Korea holds Pyongyang International Marathon for first time in 6 years

North Korea held its first Pyongyang International Marathon successful six years.

More than 500 participants, including much than 200 world runners from complete 40 countries, participated successful nan April 6 race, nan country’s first since nan COVID-19 pandemic ended, according to CBS.

Runners from nan United States, South Korea and Malaysia were reportedly not allowed to subordinate in, owed those countries’ tensions pinch North Korea, according to NK News.

The Pyongyang International Marathon was 1 of nan events held successful grant of nan day of nan grandfather of Kim Jung Un, Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s founder, which falls connected April 15.

Its opening ceremonial was held astatine Kim Il Sung Stadium, wherever much than 50,000 people cheered nan amateur runners on.

The Pyongyang International Marathon was 1 of nan events held successful grant of Kim Il Sung’s birthday. AFP via Getty Images

Its people ran done nan landmark of cardinal Pyongyang, North Korea’s superior city, and into nan countryside and backmost to nan stadium.

Participants were capable to tally a 5k, 10k, 21k aliases a afloat marathon.

In nan afloat marathon category, Pak Kum Dong of Korea took nan men’s title, moving nan 26.2 miles successful an awesome 2 hours, 12 minutes and 8 seconds, according to a property release.

North Korean Pak Kum Dong crossed nan decorativeness statement first. AP

In nan women’s race, Jon Su Gyong of Korea landed successful first, completing nan people successful 2 hours, 25 minutes and 48 seconds.

In 2020, astatine nan opening of nan pandemic, North Korea closed its borders and has been slow reopening since 2023.