An opening ceremony of the marathon was held at the Kim Il Sung Stadium on Sunday.

Present there were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Tong Jong Ho, minister of Construction and Building Materials Industry who doubles as chairman of the DPRK Marathon Association, officials concerned and working people in the city.

On hand were athletes of the DPRK, China, Zimbabwe, Ukraine, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia and Namibia.

Pak Hak Son, chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission, made an address at the ceremony.

He expressed the belief that the marathon would mark an important occasion in significantly commemorating the Day of the Sun, jointly developing marathon technique and deepen friendship among various countries of the world.

At the marathon which brought together more than 700 runners Ukrainian Babaryka Ivan and Korean woman Kim Kum Ok came first and Koreans Pak Song Chol and Jong Yong Ok placed second and Ri Yong Ho and Kim Mi Gyong third.

Cups, medals and certificates were awarded to the successful runners at the closing ceremony.