North Korea Conducts Its Premier International Marathon in Six Years
For the very first time in 6 years, North Korea has was able to host the Pyongyang International Marathon, which saw the participation of close to 200 foreign runners into the capital’s streets. The marathon is usually conducted in April in alignment with the anniversary of the birth of the country’s Kim Il Sung.
Marathon History and Covid-19 Impact
The last North Korean marathon was held in the year 2019, hosting 950 international runners. After this the country had to close its borders for the upcoming years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although North Korea had started gradually reopening its borders, it had only permitted Russian tourists into the captial for the last year.
Entry Requirements for Runners
The entrants have to cross the border in a touristic group, similar to how it was pre-pandemic era. Koryo Tours, which is marked as an ¨exclusive partner¨ in the webpage of the competition, offers 6 day packages which includes participation to the marathon for the price of 2,195 euros which is around $2,406 and includes accommodation and travel.”
Unique Experience for Participants
According to the remarks made by the agency, the runners are provided the opportunity to actively engage with the locals throughduringand after the span of the Pyongyang Marathon.
This year’s marathon tracked important places like Kim Il Sung Stadium, Triumphal Arch reminding the public of the Japanese subjugation of Korea and the Mirae Future Scientists Street which is a residential quarter for scientists and engineers.
The Atmosphere and Participant’s Experience
Social media also show the stadium which served as the start and end point of the race bustling with spectators many of whom were waving gold paper flags. Local marathon runner Pak Kum Dong told Today News Affair “The eyes of our people on me helped me to bear the difficulties whenever I feel tired”
Prospects of Tourism in North Korea
So far there have been no results published for the marathon. United Kingdom had some restrictions on the foreign tourists from the middle of XX but in February, their was a change in policy allowing some Western tourists access to the secluded eastern Rason city, which was shortly halted after a few weeks.
