North Korea plans to host the Pyongyang International Marathon in April 2025. The event, suspended since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume in six years.
On Monday, the North Korean Ministry of Sports revealed on its official website, Chosun Sports, that the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The Pyongyang International Marathon is an annual international event traditionally held in April to commemorate the birthday of Kim Il Sung, known as the Day of the Sun (April 15). However, the marathon has been suspended since 2019 due to the pandemic
According to the event guidelines, the upcoming marathon will feature two categories: an elite division for professional athletes and an open division for amateur runners. The specific events include a full marathon (26.2 miles), a half marathon (13.1 miles), a 10 km (6.2 miles), and a 5 km (3.1 miles) distance.
The competition will adhere to the World Athletics Competition Rules and the 2025 World Athletics Road Running Regulations. With a time limit of 4 hours and 30 minutes, the course will start at Kim Il Sung Stadium and pass by iconic landmarks such as Kim Il Sung Square, the Arch of Triumph, Pyongyang Grand Theatre, and Mangyongdae Student and Children’s Palace before returning bo the starting point.
Organizers will send official invitations for the elite division to one male and one female athlete per country by January 20 to attract international participants. North Korea will cover round-trip airfare, accommodation, and transportation costs for these invited athletes. The entry visa will be issued through the athletes’ representatives.
Amateur runners from East and Southeast Asia (excluding Singapore, China, and Hong Kong) can register through their national travel agencies until March 15. Participants from Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and other countries must apply through the British Koryo Travel Agency based in Beijing.
Entry fees are $150 for the full marathon, $100 for the half marathon, and $70 for the 10 km and 5 km races. Non-elite runners must cover their travel expenses and pay the organizing committee $150 in cash for meals and accommodation.
In the second half of 2023, North Korea eased its COVID-19 restrictions and began allowing foreign visitors, primarily from friendly nations. However, the country has remained cautious about hosting international events like marathons. Last year, it announced a marathon in April but canceled it three months earlier.
This year, North Korea is expected to expand its tourism products for foreigners, potentially seeking foreign currency. However, there is still some caution regarding the influx of international visitors.
The marathon’s registration guidelines require applicants to provide detailed information about their travel history, including countries visited in the past three months, visa issuance details, and vaccination records for COVID-19 and monkeypox, including inoculation dates.