The Pyongyang Marathon is formally known as the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon. The marathon event is held every year in Pyongyang – the capital of North Korea (DPRK). The marathon is AIMS certified (Association of International Marathon and Distance Races) and is categorised as an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race. Our Pyongyang Marathon FAQ article covers costs and regulations of the marathon events.

There are two Pyongyang marathon events that take place each year. The Pyongyang marathon event in April is held on Sunday before Kim Il Sung’s birthday on April 15th. The Pyongyang Autumn marathon event is held at the end of September. The marathon event was first opened to amateur runners and foreign tourists in 2014.

How to enter the Pyongyang Marathon

To partake in the Pyongyang marathon you must be apart of an organised North Korean tour group. Both the marathon events are open to all foreign amateur runners. However, there is a current travel ban on those travelling on a US passport, and South Korean passport travellers are not permitted to enter the DPRK.

The Pyongyang Marathon committee also welcomes differently-abled runners. Registry for all marathon runners is on a first come first served basis and limited to 1500 runners in total. Registrations close one month before the marathon events commence.

All running participants will receive a Pyongyang marathon certificate and those who place will receive medals and unique North Korean awards.

Pyongyang Marathon route

The Pyongyang marathon event begins and concludes with a grand opening and closing ceremony in Kim Il Sung Stadium located in the heart of Pyongyang packed with 70,000 locals. Throughout the marathon route runners will pass iconic landmarks and buildings in Pyongyang such as the Arch of Triumph, the Korean War Museum, Kim Il Sung Square, and the Juche Tower. The route will eventually lead you out towards the countryside just outside the city outskirts, before turning around and running back the same route again towards the stadium to cross the finish line.

There are four different distances available to runners:

• Full Marathon (42km/26 miles)
• Half Marathon (20km/12 miles)
• Mini Marathon (10km/6 miles)
• Fun Marathon (5km/3 miles)

Along the route are designated water stations and toilets that are marked clearly with signs in English. There are also thousands of North Korean marathon volunteers along the route to assist you for any needs. Ambulances and the Red Cross Organisation are present within the stadium and along the route for any medical emergencies. The route is clearly marked with fluro cones making it incredibly easy knowing where to go. Before the marathon event takes place YPT tours will arrange a drive along the route to give you a better understanding on where to go to better prepare you. If you do get lost, simply ask any volunteer available and they’ll point you in the right direction.

Time limit for Pyongyang Marathon

The maximum time limit for the full marathon is 4 hours and a half hours, half marathon is 2 and a half hours and the 5KM and 10KM marathon is 2 hours.

If you are unable to complete your run in time, a bus will drive along the route to pick up the remaining runners and return them to the stadium for the closing event.

except United States and South Korean passport travellers. Everyone else is invited to join the Pyongyang marathon and compete in either 5km, 10km, half marathon or full marathon. The event is also open for differently-abled people too. Read our FAQs for more information.

Pyongyang Marathon FAQ clothing regulation

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

Pyongyang Marathon registration costs

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

Both the Annual Autumn Marathon and April Marathon have different entry costs.

Autumn Marathon Tour Entry Costs

Race	Cost of Entry
5KM Marathon (5km/3 miles)	€40 Euros
10KM Marathon (10km/6 miles)	€50 Euros
Half Marathon (20km/12 miles)	€65 Euros
Full Marathon (42km/26 miles)	€80 Euros

April Marathon Entry Costs

Race	Cost of Entry
5KM Marathon (5km/3 miles)	€65 Euros
10KM Marathon (10km/6 miles)	€65 Euros
Half Marathon (20km/12 miles)	€90 Euros
Full Marathon (42km/26 miles)	€135 Euros

A race timing chip is included in the price above.

The Pyongyang Marathon committee also welcomes differently-abled runners. If you are interested in running please let us know more about your details so we can confirm everything ahead of the event.

Registry for all marathon runners is on a first come first served basis and limited to 1500 runners in total.

To secure your spot on a Pyongyang Marathon tour please contact us here.