After a hiatus from the international stage since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, the Pyongyang Marathon Committee has confirmed to Koryo Tours that the 2025 race will welcome amateur runners from abroad for the first time since 2019.

As the official travel partner of the Pyongyang International Marathon, Koryo Tours proudly presents the 31st Pyongyang Marathon, scheduled for April 6, 2025.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about running the highly anticipated Pyongyang Marathon in North Korea.

What is the Pyongyang Marathon?
What distances offered in the Pyongyang International Marathon?
     IS THERE ANY TIME LIMITS TO COMPLETE THE RACE?
Who Can Participate in the 2025 Pyongyang Marathon?
     HOW CAN I RUN THE PYONGYANG MARATHON?
     I AM A PROFESSIONAL RUNNER, HOW DO I ENTER THE PYONGYANG MARATHON?
Can Foreigners Run the Pyongyang Marathon?
     WHO CANNOT TRAVEL TO NORTH KOREA?
     ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS BASED ON PROFESSION?
     IF I HAVE A SOUTH KOREAN STAMP OR VISA IN MY PASSPORT, CAN I VISIT NORTH KOREA?
Can I Film or Take Photos During the Pyongyang Marathon?
     CAN I USE STRAVA/GARMIN CONNECT/RUNKEEPER IN NORTH KOREA?
     WHAT TO PACK FOR RUNNING IN NORTH KOREA?
Is Pyongyang open for tourism now?
     WHEN WILL PYONGYANG REOPEN? 
Will I Get a North Korean Passport Stamp?
Do I need a Chinese Visa (in order to visit Pyongyang, North Korea)

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Pyongyang Marathon: An Introduction

The Pyongyang Marathon, officially known as the Pyongyang International Marathon, was formerly called the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon (만경대상국제마라손경기대회 | 萬景台獎國際馬拉松) and is held annually in April in Pyongyang, North Korea.

One of the largest sporting events in North Korea, the modern marathon has taken place since the early 1980s for professional athletes, with foreign amateur runners first joining in 2014. In recent years, the event has welcomed local and international professionals, amateurs of all ages, and runners with disabilities.

Pyongyang has a long history of marathons, dating back to at least 1921. Marathons hold significant cultural importance in Korean sports history, as Korea’s first Olympic gold medal was won in the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the marathon event.

The Pyongyang Marathon is an World Athletics Label Road Races (formerly the IAAF Bronze Label Road Race) and is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Runners can participate in the full marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21.1 km), 10 km, and 5 km events.

With the opportunity to run through the streets of Pyongyang, past its iconic landmarks, and finish inside the massive Kim Il Sung Stadium, the marathon offers an experience like no other.

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What distances offered in the Pyongyang International Marathon?

There are four race options: Full Marathon (42.195km or 26.2miles), Half Marathon ( 21.1km or 13.1 miles), 10km, and 5km

IS THERE ANY TIME LIMITS TO COMPLETE THE RACE?

Yes, there are time limits for completing each race in the Pyongyang Marathon. For Pyongyang Marathon 2025, the limits are as follows:

• Full Marathon: 4.5 hours (or 4 hours to finish with a final lap inside Kim Il Sung Stadium)
• Half Marathon: 2.5 hours
• 10 km: 2 hours
• 5 km: 2 hours

The shorter races allow for a more leisurely pace, while the full and half marathons have stricter time limits for those aiming for a more athletic challenge.

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Who Can Participate in the 2025 Pyongyang Marathon? 

Every amateur runner who joins must participate in the race—this trip is exclusively for those competing in the full, half, 10km, or 5km marathon.

All participants MUST run in one of these events. Anyone applying will receive an invitation from the marathon committee and be considered an amateur marathon participant.

HOW CAN I RUN THE PYONGYANG MARATHON?

All foreign amateur runners must enter the Pyongyang Marathon as part of an organized tour group.

Koryo Tours, a British-owned company and the official travel partner of the marathon, handles registration for all foreign amateur participants.

You can find a list of Koryo Tours' group trips for the Pyongyang Marathon here.

These tours are designed to offer a unique experience of Pyongyang while allowing participants to compete in the event.

Race participants traveling with Koryo Tours will receive a race timing chip, running bib, and a specially designed finisher’s medal.

I AM A PROFESSIONAL RUNNER, HOW DO I ENTER THE PYONGYANG MARATHON?

Unfortunately, there will be no Elite Runner section for the Pyongyang Marathon 2025. However, professional runners are still welcome to participate but will compete as amateur runners.

For general information, links, and media about the event, please visit Koryo Tours' Pyongyang Marathon Information Portal.

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Can Foreigners Run the Pyongyang Marathon?

Yes, as long as your nationality and passport can visit North Korea as tourists.

However, there are a few exceptions based on nationality, profession, or home country regulations.

WHO CANNOT TRAVEL TO NORTH KOREA? (Per March 2025)

• South Korean Citizens (ROK): Must obtain approval from both the South Korean and North Korean government (this will simply not happen though, it is a de facto ban from both sides for tourism)
• U.S. Citizens (USA): Legally, the DPRK allows American Citizens to visit, but the U.S. government prohibits the use of a U.S. passport for travel to North Korea without special authorization—this is not granted for tourism. However, U.S. dual citizens may enter using their non-U.S. passport. Read more on 'Can Americans Travel to North Korea'.
• Malaysian Citizens: the Malaysian government issued a travel ban for Malaysian Citizens in late 2017 until further notice. Read more on 'Can Malaysians Travel to North Korea'.

ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS BASED ON PROFESSION?

• Journalists & Professional Photographers: Cannot enter on a tourist visa without prior approval. Conducting journalism without permission is illegal.
• Military Personnel: Can visit but may require clearance from their commanding officer or HR department.

IF I HAVE A SOUTH KOREAN STAMP OR VISA IN MY PASSPORT, CAN I VISIT NORTH KOREA?

Yes, you can!

Having a South Korean stamp or visa in your passport is not an issue or problem for visiting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ('DPRK' or 'North Korea').

The relevant North Korean authorities and travel companies do not care if you have visited South Korea before.

There are, however, a number of things you should be aware of if you plan to visit both North and South Korea on the same trip.

Read more on 'South Korean Stamp in Passport'

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Can I Film or Take Photos During the Pyongyang Marathon?

Yes, you can bring your phone, small camera or GoPro to capture your run experience. Here are 9 Useful Tips for Content Creators Travelling to North Korea

North Korea’s standard filming and photography restrictions still apply during the Pyongyang Marathon. This means no photos or videos of police, military personnel, or government buildings.

Always be mindful of these rules while documenting your experience.

CAN I USE STRAVA/GARMIN CONNECT/RUNKEEPER IN NORTH KOREA?

Technically, GPS tracking is prohibited in North Korea by the DPRK government.

While enforcement has been inconsistent in the past, it’s best to use your own discretion.

Be aware of using the running tracker apps, such as Strava, Runkeeper, Google Fit, Apple Fitness+ and others.

We shared our firsthand experience in a blog about Strava banning a user for running in North Korea - featuring Koryo Tours leader Zoe’s March 2025 trip to Rason.

WHAT TO PACK FOR RUNNING IN NORTH KOREA?

If you're gearing up for the Pyongyang Marathon, it's essential to prepare ahead.

Here is a list of recommended items to bring, based on our experience from multiple Pyongyang Marathons since 2014.

Keep in mind that many race-day essentials may not be easily available in Pyongyang, so it's best to pack everything you need before arrival.

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Is Pyongyang open for tourism now?

Simply put, no—Pyongyang remains closed to regular tourism.

North Korea has briefly reopened tourism to Rason, a Special Economic Zone near the China-Russia border.

The 2025 Pyongyang Marathon is not a general tourist event—only registered amateur runners will be allowed entry into Pyongyang. Non-runners, including companions, will not be permitted.

Participants in the event will enter North Korea on a marathon delegation visa, issued by the Sports Ministry, rather than the standard tourist visa processed through the National Travel Authority or Korea International Travel Company (KITC).

WHEN WILL PYONGYANG REOPEN? 

At this time, there is no confirmed date for Pyongyang’s reopening for regular tourism. We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.

(You can get the North Korea Borders Opening Updates here)

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Will I Get a North Korean Passport Stamp?

Typically, Koryo Tours' trips to Pyongyang are conducted without passport stamps, using only a tourist card. However, for the Pyongyang Marathon 2025, the process will be different due to the nature of the trip.

All marathon participants must obtain a visa permit upon arrival in Beijing at the DPRK Embassy. Unlike previous trips, this visa will be issued as a sticker in your passport, providing physical proof of entry.

Koryo Tours will handle the permit application, but all participants must arrive in Beijing at least one day early—preferably two days early—to complete the visa process.

Please note that the DPRK visa fee is not included in the tour cost. Participants are responsible for purchasing and paying for the visa separately.

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Do I need a Chinese Visa (in order to visit Pyongyang, North Korea)? 

Yes, if you need a visa to enter China, you will need a multiple entry Chinese visa in order to join in our tour. You will use it twice - once when you enter China from your home country, and another one when you are flying back to Beijing from Pyongyang.

Visa Exemption Policy

Until 31 December 2025, nationals of 38 countries can visit China for tourism, transit, and other purposes for up to 30 days without a visa.
The list of eligible countries is as follows: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea (NB: banned to visit the DPRK by both the ROK and DPRK governments), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia (NB: banned to visit the DPRK by the Malaysian Government), Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland.

If applicable, you may also use the China 240 hour transit Visa.

Still have questions about North Korea? Get in touch with us!

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Koryo Tours
Experts
in North Korea Travel
Since 1993