The country shut its doors to foreign tourists over fears of the virus in October, even though there are no cases near the isolated nation.
Authorities in North Korea have barred foreigners from competing in the annual Pyongyang marathon — one of the reclusive nation's most popular tourist events — because of ongoing fears about the spread of the Ebola virus, according to travel agencies.
Marathon runners pass by a North Korean soldier in in April 2013.
David Guttenfelder / AP
Despite no cases of Ebola emerging near the country, foreigners were restricted from entering North Korean territory in October 2014 due to fears they may be carrying the virus, AP reported. The North Korean government have suggested that the outbreak of the virus was caused by the U.S. military, and is being used as a biological agent.
However, companies running tours of the country have said that the ban means that no foreigners will be allowed to compete when the Pyongyang marathon — known as the Mangyongdae Prize — takes place in April this year.
The marathon is a bronze-label event sanctioned by International Association of Athletics Federations. Nick Bonner, who runs trips to the country through his Beijing-based business Koryo Tours, told AP that 400 foreigners had signed up for the marathon through his agency alone.
Another travel operator — Troy Collings of Young Pioneer Tours — said foreigners had been barred from the race. According to the NK News website: "No foreigners – professional or amateur – will be able to attend. It's likely there may still be a marathon held in Pyongyang but no international runners will be allowed to compete," he said.
Collings said he wasn't told anything more, other than the move was due to the country's Ebola measures.
Spectators watch the marathon start in 2014.
David Guttenfelder / AP
Young runners rest after racing in the 2013 event.
David Guttenfelder / AP
from BuzzFeed - Latest http://ift.tt/1Be0wQe
