It is unlikely that most Westerners visit Secret North Korea, but this year a select group of foreigners will run through the streets of their capital Pyongyang.
And it is likely that the Australians are among them, ignoring the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Commerce (DFAT) against the trip there.
In April, the Pyongyang marathon will be held for the first time in five years.
North Korea briefly At the end of February, after closing its borders at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. But according to reports, tour operators were told earlier this month that the tours were canceled until further notice.
However, this year’s marathon seems to move on, and Brendan Skinner is one of the five Australians who are expected to travel there to join the race.
“I always thought I would go anywhere if I had the opportunity to, including North Korea. But thought never really happened,” Skinner told SBS News.
“It is so exclusive to make a marathon; it is so exclusive to go to North Korea and now I can combine them both.”
Brendan Skinner recently mounted a bicycle at more than 500 km from Surat Thani in Thailand to George Town in Malasia. Fountain: Supplied
While it is an avid corridor, which includes competing in ultra marathons, Skinner said it only began to prepare recently.
“I hope the previous experience makes me pass, and a bit of adrenaline of the crowd,” he said.
The DFAT Smartraveller website has a “not travel” notice for North Korea. It warns travelers about “very different laws that affect visitors and the uncertain security situation.”
The site also includes more advice on security, health and legal concerns, with DFAT advising that Australia does not have a consulate in North Korea, which means that its ability to help is very limited.
DFAT reports that the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang is “the ‘power of protection’ for Australia and provides limited emergency consular services.”
Swedish authorities helped In 2019 after he was briefly arrested.
‘A complex and fascinating place’
Simon Cockerell is the general manager of Koryo Tours, the only company allowed to bring foreigners to North Korea for the marathon of April 6.
He said that more than 400 runners will compete, including around 200 foreigners and more than 200 North Koreans.
He said they are “a mixture of enthusiastic runners, those who have been waiting for years to visit Pyongyang, people in the right place at the right time.”
“This is not a general opening [of Pyongyang]”Cockerell said.” It is a unique opportunity in special circumstances. “
The entrance rate for foreigners is US $ 150 ($ 238).
In comparison, the New York marathon charges US $ 315 ($ 500) for the non -members of the New York Road Runners Club and the London Marathon Carpes £ 146 ($ 300) for residents not of the United Kingdom.
Runners passing the arch of triumph in the 2012 Pyongyang Marathon. Fountain: AP / Kim Kwang Hon
“North Korea is a complex and fascinating place that fascinates many people and, although it is certainly not for everyone, it is for those who are intrigued in the experience of visiting that country and experiencing what they can,” said Cockerell.
He said his company offers reports for travelers before going to North Korea.
“Being prepared is the most important and one should not consider going to a place like the RPDC (Democratic Popular Republic of Korea) with anyone who does not take it seriously.”
People in Pyongyang greeting in marathon runners. Fountain: AP / TAZONES-E
Skinner said he had no concerns about his next trip.
“I try not to have any expectation at all, just have an open mind and adapt to what is happening in front of me,” he said.
While his friends are now excited by him, his family has some reservations.
‘Stimulating and exciting’
Jasmine Barrett’s family is less surprised by his decision, with 2025 to be the fourth time he enters the Pyongyang marathon.
Barrett, 41, ran his first marathon while he lived in Beijing and chose the Pyongyang marathon on the races of Beijing and Great Wall.
“As the courses advance, the Pyongyang is quite reasonable,” he said.
Barrett is a doctoral student who studies the North Korean disabled sector at Melbourne University.
Having made several trips to North Korea for research and humanitarian work, he said that the marathon offers visitors “another city perspective.”
“If you go to Pyongyang on a tour, you could spend more time on a bus than walking the streets,” he said.
“You really just get a different perspective when you run through the streets.
“It is something exciting and exciting not only running the streets with thousands of people who encourage it, but also end at the stadium and then the stadium is also full of people.”
Jasmine Barrett after the 2017 Pyongyang Marathon. Fountain: Supplied
With his previous experience, Barrett will also be a leader of the voluntary tour this year.
The partner participant Stan (not his real name) goes with an open mind.
“I think I’m going to experience it and see what happens,” he said.
“I really have nothing in mind.”
Stan decided to do the Pyongyang marathon after seeing an Instagram reel. Fountain: Supplied
As a casual corridor who has not even made a fun career, the 24 -year -old was inspired to make the half marathon after seeing an Instagram reel.
Stan has been running 15 km per day, three to four times a week, and ran a half marathon in training to prepare.
