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‘One-time opportunity’: these Australians will run a marathon in North Korea
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‘One-time opportunity’: these Australians will run a marathon in North Korea

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It is unlikely that most Westerners will ever visit the Secret of Noord -Korea, but this year a select group of foreigners will walk through the streets of the capital Pyongyang.
And Australians will probably be there and ignore the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) against travel there.
In April the Pyongyang Marathon will be held for the first time in five years.
North -Korea Short Early in the COVID-19 Pandemie at the end of February after the closure of its borders. But tour operators were reportedly told earlier this month that tours were canceled until further notice.
This year’s marathon, however, seems to continue and Brendan Skinner is one of the five Australians who are expected to travel there to participate in the race.
“I always thought I would go somewhere if I had the chance, including North Korea. But the thought never really passed there,” Skinner told SBS News.

“It is so unique to do a marathon; it is so unique to go to Noord -Korea and now I can combine them both.”

Brendan Skinner recently rode a bicycle on more than 500 km from Surat Thani in Thailand to George Town in Malaysia. Source: Delivered

Although he is an avid runner, including participation in ultra marathons, Skinner said he recently started.

“I hope that earlier experience will get me through – and a little adrenaline of the crowd,” he said.
The Smartraveller website of DFAT has a “do not travel” advice for Noord -Korea. It warns travelers of “the very different laws that visit visitors and the uncertain safety situation”.
The site also contains further advice on safety, health and legal concerns, where DFAT advises that Australia has no consulate in North Korea, which means that the ability to help is very limited.
DFAT recommends that the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang is “the” protective force “for Australia and offers limited consular services for emergency situations”.
Swedish authorities helped In 2019 after he had been held briefly.

‘A complex and fascinating place’

Simon Cockerell is the general director of Koryo Tours – the only company that foreigners can bring in Noord -Korea for the Marathon of 6 April.
He said that more than 400 runners will compete, including around 200 foreigners and more than 200 North Koreans.
He said they “are a mix of sharp runners, those who have waited years to visit Pyongyang, people in the right place at the right time”.
“This is not a general opening [of Pyongyang]”Said Cockerell.” It is a one -off opportunity under special circumstances. “
The registration fee for foreigners is US $ 150 ($ 238).

For comparison: the New York Marathon charges US $ 315 ($ 500) for non-members of the New York Road Runners Club and the London Marathon charges £ 146 ($ 300) for non-UK residents.

A group of runners who go a path from an arc monument.

Lopers who pass the Triumph bow in the Pyongyang Marathon 2012. Source: AP / Kim Kwang Hon

“Noord -Korea is a complex and fascinating place that fascinates many people and although it is certainly not for everyone, it is very bad for those who are intrigued in the experience of visiting such a country and experiencing what they can,” said Cockerell.

He said his company offers briefings for travelers before they go to Noord -Korea.

“Being prepared is the most important thing and one should not consider going to a place like the DVK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) with someone who doesn’t take it seriously.”

A runner who wears a blue and red top waves in people on the side of a street. Two other runners in similar clothing are in front of him.

People in Pyongyang wave marathon runners. Source: AP / Bowls-e

Skinner said he wasn’t worried about his coming trip.

“I try not to have any expectations in something, just a kind of open mind and adjust to what is happening for me,” he said.

While his friends are now enthusiastic for him, his family has some reservations.

‘Exciting and exciting’

The Jasmine Barrett family is less surprised about her decision, with 2025 to enter the Pyongyang Marathon her fourth time.
Barrett, 41, led her first marathon as he lived in Beijing and opted for the Pyongyang marathon above the Beijing and Great Wall Races.
“As courses go, the Pyongyang One is reasonable,” she said.
Barrett is a PhD student who studies the invalidity sector of Noord -Korea at the University of Melbourne.
After making several trips to Noord -Korea for research and humanitarian work, she said that the marathon visitors “gives a completely different perspective of the city”.
“If you go to Pyongyang during a tour, you can spend more time in a bus than walking on the street,” she said.
“You really just get a different perspective if you run through the streets.

“It is a bit exciting and exciting not only to run through the streets with thousands of people who encourage you, but you also end up in the stadium and then the stadium is also full of people.”

A woman who wears a blue a red top, black leggings and red shoes stands for a full stadium audience.

Jasmine Barrett after the Pyongyang Marathon 2017. Source: Delivered

With her earlier experience, Barrett will also be a volunteer leader this year.

Colleague participant Stan (not his real name) goes in with an open mind.
“I think I’m just going to experience it and see what happens,” he said.

“I don’t really have anything in mind.”

A man with a black cap and a black jacket with jeans standing in front of a green bush holding a white dog.

Stan decided to do the Pyongyang -Marathon after seeing an Instagram reel. Source: Delivered

As an informal runner who did not even have a nice run, the 24-year-old was inspired to do the half marathon after seeing an Instagram reel.

Stan has run 15 km a day, three to four times a week and ran a half marathon in training to prepare.

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