Pyongyang Marathon is the third edition of the event to allow international participants in DPRK, and more than 1,000 runners from various countries signed up.

The competitors were allowed to document the experience with their own cameras, and selfies were the order of the day outside the stadium.

The participants then headed inside the venue and made their way to the starting line. The international contingent continued to click away, while the curious crowd looked on from the stands.

Then it was time for the starting gun, as the marathoners left the 150,000 seat Rungrado May Day Stadium to hit the streets of the DPRK’s capital, where they passed landmarks like the Arch of Triumph.

While waiting for the runners to make their way back, the audience was entertained by a pair of football matches from the country’s top flight.

And after more than two hours, they had another reason to cheer, as a runner from the DPRK claimed victory by crossing the finish line first.

Long distance runners compete in Pyongyang Marathon