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Pyongyang Marathon abruptly called off
North Korea has cancelled its annual Pyongyang International Marathon, citing unspecified reasons, according to the event's official tour partner.
Official notice provides no details
Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based agency that markets the race to foreign runners, announced the decision on Monday after receiving word from North Korea's athletics association. The association's message, attributed to its general secretary, stated only that the marathon was being cancelled "due to some reasons" and offered no further clarification.
Event's significance and history
Established in 1981, the marathon commemorates the birth of North Korea's founding leader, Kim Il Sung. The 2026 edition was scheduled for 5 April but will not proceed. The race had only resumed in 2025 after a five-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Impact on participants and organisers
Koryo Tours confirmed the cancellation was final and originated from authorities above the event's organisers. The agency acknowledged the decision would disappoint runners who had already registered or planned to participate. It added that neither the marathon's organisers nor its partners were involved in the decision-making process.
All deposits will be refunded, and participants may choose to apply their payment toward a future North Korea tour or marathon. A date for the 2027 event has not been set.
Race details and tourism context
The Pyongyang Marathon is open to amateur and select professional athletes, offering distances of 5km, 10km, a half marathon, and a full marathon. Koryo Tours, which describes itself as the marathon's official partner, had sold out all 2026 packages. These started at €2,190 ($2,529; £1,894) for a 2.5-night stay in Pyongyang, including race entry and guided tours of the capital.
The agency said it would seek further clarification on the circumstances behind the cancellation but provided no timeline for additional updates.
