Pyongyang Marathon (april) 2026 was told out in just 5 hours this week (december 2025) as the country is still closed January 2020-

Pyongyang maraton was sold out in just 5(!) hours. 100s of travelers globally had signed up for waiting lists,  and then signed up for every spot within just 5 hours. Many is left disappointed and many woke up to the message it was sold out during their sleep. 

So will know, I joined the Pyongyang marathon April 2025 with my eldest daughter and with that succeeded in traveling to every country as the first Danish woman. The dream of my life. 

I was reminded just how deciding it was that I set all aside to be ready for the window of opportunity that would come when North Korea 🇰🇵 would open a door for westerners to visit. Even the shortest time and the most narrow opening. 

This year, 100s were on waiting lists, then when the opportunity came, so may were ready that it only took 5 hours for all spots to sell out. 100s were disappointed. Remember this is across time zones, so many woke up to the news, that this was sold out while they slept. A huge disappointment for them. 

North Korea have been closed since January 2020. I waited three years to visit the last three countries on my quest to travel in every country in the world. I waited two full years only to go to DPRK proper, and not just the DMZ. I could have declared victory in March 2023 and remained in jobs I liked and were proud of. So this meant something for me.

In the global community of people curious, ambitious and resourceful enough to travel to every country in the world, reaching the target of 193 is special. Many are trying to find openings to travel DKPT & Sudan now. 

We were 14 to finish and succeeded our dream in April 2025. An amazing feeling to have dinner with this group in the evening April 6 in Pyongyang. 

2025: 500 participants. Half foreigners. 

2026: … wishing them all the best!