North Korea Hosts International Marathon For Those Who Are Idiotic Enough To Accept

The streets of North Korea's showcase capital were filled with runners from all over the world on Sunday for the annual Pyongyang marathon, which was open to foreign amateurs this year for the first time.

North Korea Hosts International Marathon For Those Who Are Idiotic Enough To Accept N-NORTH-KOREA-large

North Korea Hosts International Marathon For Those Who Are Idiotic Enough To Accept N-NORTH-KOREA-large

Tens of thousands of North Koreans lined the streets to applaud, cheer and sometimes high-five the runners, who were followed by a truck blaring patriotic music. They stood and roared as North Korea's Pak Chol, who completed the men's event in 2 hours, 12 minutes and 26 seconds, crossed the finish line. Compatriots Kim Hye Gyong and her twin sister, Kim Hye Song, finished first and second in the women's race. The winning women's time was 2:27:04.

Known officially as the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, the race is sanctioned as a bronze-label event by the International Association of Athletics Federations and has been held annually for 27 years. Organizers said they decided to allow foreign recreational runners because they wanted to hold a grander race as part of the series of sporting competitions, arts festivals and cultural events marking the birthday of the nation's founder, Kim Il Sung, on April 15.

Much of North Korea remains off-limits to foreigners, but Pyongyang, with its broad avenues, plazas and ubiquitous monuments, is more accessible than other places in the secretive and isolated country.

The opening of the race to recreational runners is in keeping with the North's ongoing effort to earn cash revenue by boosting tourism, usually with group tours to major arts performances or attractions the North wants to show off. Tourism agencies that specialize in North Korea said they were surprised by the large number of entries they received, but noted most were from tourists who primarily wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to see Pyongyang close up, rather than compete in the race itself.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/13/north-korea-marathon_n_5142357.html

North Korea Hosts International Marathon For Those Who Are Idiotic Enough To Accept

North Korea Hosts International Marathon For Those Who Are Idiotic Enough To Accept

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