In an unexpected development, North Korea has officially canceled the Pyongyang International Marathon scheduled for April 5, 2026, offering no substantive explanation for the decision. The announcement was communicated to Koryo Tours, the British-operated tour agency recognized as the event’s official partner, by North Korea’s athletics association.
The notification, attributed to the association’s general secretary, cited vague “some reasons” for the cancellation while expressing gratitude to international elite and amateur runners who had shown interest in participating. According to Koryo Tours, the determination appears final and was made at a level surpassing the event’s direct organizers, suggesting higher governmental authority involvement.
This marks the first cancellation since the event’s post-pandemic revival in 2025 after five consecutive years of COVID-19 related suspensions. Established in 1981 to commemorate the birth of North Korea’s founding leader Kim Il Sung, the marathon typically attracts foreign participants through specialized tour packages.
Koryo Tours, which operates from Beijing, had sold out its premium packages priced from €2,190 for 2.5 nights in Pyongyang including race entry and city tours. The company has committed to full deposit refunds while offering participants the option to retain credits for future events. No date has been set for the 2027 edition of the competition, which traditionally features 5km, 10km, half-marathon and full marathon distances open to both amateur and professional athletes.