American Travel Influencer Runs Marathon in North Korea and Calls It the Craziest Experience of His Life
A young American travel influencer recently turned heads after he ran a full marathon in North Korea with barely any preparation time. At just 23 years old Alex Page decided on a whim to add the isolated nation to his bucket list and made it happen in only 24 days. He documented every step of the journey through videos on his social media channels where followers watched him navigate strict entry rules and an unforgettable race day. His story quickly sparked lively discussions online with some praising his adventurous spirit while others worried about the potential dangers for visitors.
Alex who holds dual American and Mexican citizenship found a clever way around United States travel restrictions that currently ban passport use for trips to North Korea. The country had reopened to tourists in February 2025 after a long five year closure due to the pandemic although the capital Pyongyang stayed mostly off limits to outsiders at first. While staying in a hostel in Mongolia he heard from someone who had joined one of the very first tours back into the nation and that conversation gave him the motivation he needed to push forward with his plan. He worked with specialized travel groups to secure his spot and soon found himself training during a freezing Russian winter while juggling his content creation work.
Training proved incredibly tough for the influencer who admits mixing constant travel exercising and filming left him exhausted. He signed up for the Pyongyang International Marathon without much prior long distance running experience and wondered if he could even finish the event. On race day the atmosphere felt electric as he lined up with professional North Korean athletes who appeared extremely fit and ran remarkably fast times around two hours and 25 minutes. Crowds in the stadium clapped in perfect synchronization and chanted throughout the course creating an experience unlike anything he had encountered before.
Spectators seemed stunned to see a foreigner participating especially since many younger locals had never laid eyes on an outsider due to the extended lockdown. Only 26 international runners joined the full marathon that day and Alex stood out as the sole American among them. The city streets offered surreal views of unique architecture and orderly surroundings that felt both normal and completely otherworldly at the same time. He spent four days in Pyongyang overall and came away describing the capital as an impressive place filled with fascinating details that most travelers never get to witness.
@alex.by.air This was one of craziest travel stories for sure😂 #adventuretravel #marathon #running #usa ♬ original sound – Alex Page | Adventure Travel
Alex has now visited 43 countries and dreams of reaching all 195 recognized nations in his lifetime. He believes every destination holds something special worth exploring even those with higher barriers to entry. Diving deep into different cultures during extended trips has made him feel more interesting and open minded according to his reflections. His passion shines through when he talks about seeking out experiences that others might overlook or consider too challenging.
Similar sentiments came from another traveler Cameron Mofid who completed the same marathon a few months earlier and labeled it the craziest moment of his entire life. Both men highlighted the intense adrenaline rush and the sense of standing out amid the local runners and enthusiastic crowds. Online reactions ranged from admiration for their boldness to strong concerns about safety with some commenters urging people to choose less risky adventures like a standard city marathon instead. Questions about whether such trips are worth the potential issues continue to fuel debates among travel enthusiasts.
What stands out most in Alex Page journey is his willingness to embrace uncertainty in pursuit of personal growth. He prepared as best he could under tight deadlines and emerged with stories that captivate audiences around the world. His footage captures not just the physical challenge but also the cultural surprises that made the event so memorable. In the end his adventure serves as a reminder that travel can push boundaries in unexpected ways when curiosity leads the charge.
What unique travel challenge have you taken on to reach a hard to visit destination and how did it change your perspective. Share your thoughts in the comments.
