North Korea said that the runners of the foreign elite had arrived in Pyongyang Marathon for six years on Sunday, but did not immediately confirm that the race had happened.
The marathon, which was to be run on Sunday, is part of the celebration of the birth of North Korean founder Kim Ling Singh in 1912.
The state -run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Sunday, without giving any details of the race or any results, “China, Romania, Morocco and Ethiopia arrived here to attend the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon on April 3 and 5,”
Marathon is the largest sports program in the controversial country. Race provides visitors to an extraordinary opportunity to walk on the streets of a strictly controlled capital.
Photos posted on the Instagram account of Koreo Touris, Simon Kochil, who arranges visits to foreign amateur runners, have shown collecting the citizens of Pyongyang to see.
“A few pictures of today’s Pyongyang marathon in North Korea – a wonderful event and someone else’s race,” Kockel wrote.
A photo showed that foreign participants showed photos on the phone around North Korean fans, taking pictures over the phone.
The last edition of the Pyongyang Marathon was held in 2019 before the pandemic disease, during which the state, equipped with nuclear weapons, sealed its borders in an attempt to control the virus.
Foreign participants are currently in the capital on a six -day journey organized by Beijing -based travel agency, Chorio Tours, describing themselves as a special marathon’s special partner.
“Pyongyang Marathon is a very unique experience because it gives the opportunity to communicate with locals,” a Beijing -based firm said on his website. “Not really an experience.”
The marathon is listed on the Global Governing Body World Athletics website.
In 2019, about 950 950 Western countries participated in the race, which was more than 450 last year. About 180 180 foreigners were expected to attend this year.
