By Desiree Salas (media@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Apr 15, 2014 03:26 AM EDT

It looks like the ultra "secretive and isolated" North Korea, as NBC News noted, is slowly opening itself up to the rest of the world, most recently with the country's 27-year-old annual marathon.

"The streets of North Korea's capital were filled with runners from all over the world on Sunday for the annual Pyongyang marathon, which was open to foreign amateurs this year for the first time," The Guardian reported. "Tens of thousands of North Koreans lined the streets to applaud the runners, who were followed by a truck blaring patriotic music on loudspeakers."

That's just one of the things that made the event a bit odd and even "funny," as one participant put it. Vicky Mohieddeen, a video producer for a North Korean tour company who ran in this year's marathon, told the BBC that the event was "quite funny."

"The kids were holding out their hands for high fives and the old ladies were cheering us on... it did get me going," she added.

Another runner, Canadian Jacob Young, commented: "I go to international races every year, but this one just strikes me as the most unique. It's very novel. Usually I would imagine it's the tourists here looking out at the local people. Here, it's them looking at us. We are the show."

Is this what made the marathon feel "quite funny"?

Overall, reactions from foreign runners "were generally positive," noted The Wire. "The scenery was fantastic, and there were so many people watching. It was good motivation to get back into running. I really enjoyed it," said Jen Skym, who participated despite being 4 months pregnant.

The country's decision to welcome foreign runners in the race, which is officially known as the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, is in line with North Korea's aim to boost revenues via tourism.

The race banned the use of flags or clothing that had large writings or messages, symbols that grabbed attention or had political overtones. A four-hour cutoff was set for the marathon; the half-marathon category had to be finished in 2.5 hours, while the 10 kilometer route had to be done in 90 minutes.

North Koreans Pak Chol (2 hours, 12 minutes) and Kim Hye Gyong and Kim Hye Song (2 hours, 27 minutes), who are twins, won in the men's and women's 42K categories respectively. 

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