The Pyongyang Marathon was opened to amateur runners in 2014 and is now held every year on the Sunday before President Kim Il Sung’s birthday (April 15th). The marathon begins and ends at Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang and is presently ranked by the IAAF as a Bronze Label Road Race. There are three different distances available to runners: the 10km race, half marathon and full marathon.

After kicking off at Kim Il Sung Stadium, you will run via the Arch of Triumph, Friendship Tower, Eternal Life Tower, Kim Il Sung University, Kumrung Tunnel No.2, Chongryu Suspension bridge, Munsu Street, Rungra Bridge, Kurung Tunnel No.1, Ansangtaek Street, People’s Army Acrobatic Theatre and back to the Arch of Triumph. If you choose to run 10km, you will complete one lap of this course and finish at the Arch. If you choose to run either the Half or Full Marathon runners you will complete two or four laps respectively, finishing in Kim Il Sung Stadium.

Aside from comfortable running clothing, you are also required to bring a tracksuit (jacket and trousers) for attendance of the opening and closing ceremonies. The size and number of any logos on clothing is regulated according to IAAF regulations, however the Pyongyang Marathon is notable for an extra rule – no American or Japanese flags are allowed on any items of clothing.

At the current time the entry fees for the marathon and time allowances are as follows, however those may be subject to change by the ministry of sport or the Pyongyang Marathon Committee.

A race timer is included in the price above. The maximum time limit for the full marathon is 4 hours, half marathon is 2 and a half hours and the mini marathon is 2 hours. All running participants will receive a Pyongyang marathon certificate titled to you, with the top three men and women in each distance receiving ceramic vases at the awards ceremony held in front of 70,000 people!

Registry for all marathon runners is on a first come first served basis and limited to 1500 runners in total, so if you wish to run, book now!

What do our runners from the 2014, 2015 and 2016 marathon say about us and the marathon?

“Pyongyang Marathon is an absolute must. Finishing the run with a lap around the stadium in front of 50,000 people was amazing. YPT tour guide (Chris Kelly) was excellent – had sound information on North Korea and Pyongyang, joined in all the fun and made it an unforgettable experience”

“What an unbelievable experience. We did the Pyongyang marathon which was one of the best experiences of my life – 70,000 people going mad in the stadium and the start and finale and more cheering you through the streets – as a non-professional athlete I would go just for the experience of feeling like one.”

“I did the Marathon tour in April 2014 with YPT, and it was a blast! Had a great group of people and the whole experience was amazing… I would love to see more of the country, and when I go back I’ll definitely join YPT again.”