Pyongyang: North Korea has hosted its annual Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time in six years, resuming it following a suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the North's state media on Monday. Marathon enthusiasts from North Korea, China, Morocco, Ethiopia, and other countries participated in the Pyongyang International Marathon held the previous day. The event featured full and half marathons, as well as 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer races for both men and women, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the opening ceremony took place at Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang and was attended by Vice Premier and Vice Chairman of the state sports guidance committee Pak Jong-gun, Sports Minister Kim Il-kuk, and other officials. The marathon competition, launched in 1981 to celebrate North Korean founder Kim Il-sung's birthday on April 15, had been held annually until it was suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The Rodong Sinmun, the mainstream newspaper for the general public, reported that North Korean workers and adolescent students waved and clapped as runners passed along major streets in the capital. North Korean runners claimed gold in both men's and women's full marathon events, while silver was awarded to an Ethiopian athlete in the men's race and a North Korean athlete in the women's. Bronze medals went to a North Korean in the men's race and an Ethiopian in the women's, with all medals in the half marathon event won by North Korean runners.
Polish runners dominated the amateur men's marathon, sweeping all the medals, while a runner from Hong Kong seized gold in the women's amateur race. North Korea's hosting of the international event raises speculation that the country may reopen its borders to foreign tourists, primarily as a source of foreign currency revenue.
Despite reopening to foreign travelers after years of pandemic border controls, North Korea had allowed Western visitors in since late February but abruptly suspended foreign tours again for unclear reasons. Koo Byung-sam, spokesperson for South Korea's unification ministry, explained that the North's decision to host the marathon event as scheduled, despite the recent suspension of foreign tours, demonstrates its determination to resume tourism for foreigners.
Koryo Tours, a China-based tour agency specializing in North Korea tours, had earlier stated that around 200 foreigners from 46 countries, including Britain, Australia, Singapore, Italy, and Myanmar, would compete in the marathon.