North Korea hosted the Pyongyang International Marathon, which had been suspended due to COVID-19, for the first time in six years.
On the 7th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon took place the previous day. The race was divided into men's and women's full courses (42.195 km), half (21.097 km), 10 km, and 5 km.
The agency noted that athletes from North Korea, China, Romania, Morocco, Ethiopia, and "marathon enthusiasts from various countries and regions participated."
The opening ceremony was held at Kim Il Sung Stadium, attended by Park Jung-geun, Vice Premier and Chairman of the State Planning Commission, and Kim Il-guk, Minister of Sports.
Since 1981, North Korea has hosted an international marathon to commemorate the birthday of Chairman Kim Il Sung on April 15 (Taeyang Day). The event planned for last April was canceled, resulting in no races being held for five consecutive years since 2020 due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Labor Newspaper described the atmosphere in Pyongyang on marathon day, stating, "As the signal gun went off, the athletes and enthusiasts who left the starting line ran vigorously along the designated course," adding that "workers and youth students cheered and waved as marathon runners passed through the capital's streets, including Gae-seon Street, Seung-ri Street, and Cheongchun Street."
In the full course race, North Korean athletes Pak Geum-dong (men) and Jeon Su-kyung (women) won gold medals. Ethiopia's Metapheria Bekele Girmay (men) and North Korea's Choi Il-gyeong (women) took second place, while North Korea's Jeon Gwang-myeong (men) and Ethiopia's Senbet Gelane Bulbula (women) finished in third.
In the half course, North Korean athletes swept the gold, silver, and bronze medals.
In the men's amateur marathon, Polish athletes took all top three spots, while a Hong Kong athlete won first place in the women's competition.
During the closing ceremony, trophies, medals, and certificates were awarded to outstanding athletes and enthusiasts.
This event has drawn attention to whether North Korea, which suddenly halted group tourist visits from the West, will expand tourism packages aimed at foreigners and actively pursue foreign currency earnings.
The "Marathon Tour" sold by Koryo Tours included a tourist itinerary showcasing various parts of Pyongyang, along with participation in the marathon.
The travel agency indicated that tours would visit Okryu Restaurant, Kim Il Sung Square, the Juche Tower, Pyongyang's "New Town" on Hwaseong Street, and the Gangdong Greenhouse Farm.
North Korea fully closed its borders due to the COVID-19 situation but began receiving group tourists from the West to the Rajin Economic Zone starting in late February. However, this was halted shortly thereafter.