pretending in north korea 140000 people crazy running pyongyang online marathon
It's unclear when it started, but 'pretending to be somewhere' has become an unstoppable online trend.
This trend gained more traction after online marathons became popular nationwide, providing marathon enthusiasts with more, better, and more exciting reasons to 'pretend to be somewhere.' On April 10, Codoon, the country's largest sports social platform, organized the Pyongyang Online Marathon, with 140,000 people participating online, simultaneously experiencing the unique social exercise of 'pretending to be in North Korea.'
The Pyongyang International Marathon has always been considered the 'most mysterious' marathon event in history—without exception. However, in 2016, participants were finally allowed to take selfies on Pyongyang soil. This 'decision' even led to some humorous remarks from online marathon users:
'Previously, the best and most fun part of 'pretending to be in North Korea' was that you couldn't take selfies or post about it. Now that this restriction has been lifted, a lot of the fun is lost.'
However, the Pyongyang International Marathon still has strict regulations—participants are prohibited from wearing clothing with national symbols, flags, or corporate slogans. Fortunately, online marathons do not have to follow these incomprehensible rules. Otherwise, the sense of presence in online marathons would be completely lost.
The Codoon Pyongyang Online Marathon might be the 'most overlooked' online event of 2016. The 'excessive mystery' of the offline event's location did not dampen the enthusiasm for the online marathon. The flexible participation options of full marathon, half marathon, and 10 kilometers were still welcomed by runners. For example, Codoon user 'every_wen' posted on Weibo: 'First time using Codoon, first time running on Shenglian Island, first 10 kilometers, first online marathon, and it's supposedly the amazing Pyongyang Marathon! Am I awesome or what!'
The rule that completing the race within the day earns you a certification and a medal is one of the reasons online marathons are becoming increasingly popular. This approach is highly humane and very flexible, providing runners with great participation flexibility. Online marathons require runners to develop a tenacious spirit. In fact, running is like doing anything else; it's easy to give up at the start, and the fatigue in the middle can make the desire to quit very strong. But if you can persist to the end, the thrill and sense of accomplishment from the final sprint will bring immense happiness.
A small online marathon medal may not be a highlight in the long river of life, but for online marathon enthusiasts who persist and persist, this medal makes 'pretending to be in North Korea' feel so real.
According to the British 'Daily Mail,' about 1,000 foreign participants joined the Pyongyang International Marathon in 2016. In contrast, online marathon users are more likely to feel happiness. In the step-by-step progress, everyone's body gradually becomes stronger, and everyone's spirit continuously grows. Looking back at the thousands of miles you've run after finishing is the most proud moment.