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N Korea holds first international marathon in six years

North Korea has held the Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time in six years, welcoming some 200 foreign runners to the streets of the reclusive country's capital.

The marathon, which was launched in 1981, took place annually in April to celebrate the birth of its founding leader Kim Il Sung.

Before Sunday's marathon, the race was last held in 2019, wherein 950 foreigners participated. North Korea sealed itself the following year, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

North Korea has been slow to reopen since, allowing only Russian tourists into its capital since last year.

Getty Images The stadium - where runners start and finish their race - was filled with spectators, many of them cheering and waving gold-coloured paper flags
Some 200 foreign runners participated in the latest edition of the Pyongyang International Marathon

Runners have had to enter the country as part of an organised tour group, as was the case before the pandemic.