The Pyongyang Marathon

FEB 21 UPDATE: The 2020 Pyongyang Marathon has been cancelled due to concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak. Please check out our post here for updates related to the virus and related border closure.

The Pyongyang Marathon (평양마라손 | 平壤馬拉松) is an annual marathon race held in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK (North Korea) in April. It is the largest international sport event in North Korea each year and open to domestic and foreign runners — both professional and amateur. The official name of the race is the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon (만경대상국제마라손 | 萬景臺獎國際馬拉松 ). The Pyongyang Marathon is an AIMS-certified IAAF Bronze Label Road Race.

On the Koryo Tours Blog, we have previously written about specific aspects of the race, which you can find below:

Pyongyang Marathon Information

Pyongyang Marathon FAQs

Pyongyang Marathon Packing List | North Korea Travel Guide

Pyongyang Marathon History

A Very Short History of Northern Korean Marathons

The 1921 Pyongyang Marathon

The Seoul—Pyongyang Marathon, 1931 (Part I)

Turn Back the Clock Thursday - Kim Il Sung Stadium

The Pyongyang Marathon Experience

The Pyongyang Marathon in Review

Pyongyang Marathon: The Closest Experience to Being in the Olympics

Shanghai to Pyongyang - Run the Adventure of a Lifetime

What do North Koreans think of foreigners at the Pyongyang Marathon?

North Korean Media Coverage of the Pyongyang Marathon

Pyongyang Marathon Past Results

Pyongyang Marathon 2019 - Race Results

Pyongyang Marathon 2018 - Race Results

Pyongyang Marathon 2017 — Race Results

How can I take part in the Pyongyang Marathon?

To take part in the Pyongyang Marathon one needs to join an organized group tour to North Korea. Koryo Tours is the official travel partner for foreign amateurs taking part in the race and runs annual tours to take part in the Pyongyang Marathon. All foreign (non-Chinese) amateurs taking part in the Pyongyang Marathon need to be registered for the event through Koryo Tours. Foreign amateur runners also already in North Korea on official invitations or with resident visas can also take part in the event.

What else can you do and see in North Korea? Take a look at Koryo Tours' 75-page guide to North Korea for a full list of sights, locations, and activities in the country. You can also follow the Koryo Tours Blog for regular updates on travel to the DPRK.