North Korea Cancels Pyongyang Marathon Without Explanation

North Korea has unexpectedly cancelled the Pyongyang Marathon, an annual event that was scheduled to take place on April 5, 2026. The announcement came from Koryo Tours, a British-owned tour agency that partners with the marathon. The agency reported receiving a notice from North Korea's athletics association, stating that the marathon was cancelled "due to some reasons," without providing further details.

The Pyongyang Marathon, established in 1981 to commemorate the birth of North Korea's founding leader Kim Il Sung, had only recently resumed after a five-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2026 event was anticipated to be the second consecutive marathon since its return. The cancellation message, attributed to the general secretary of North Korea's athletics association, expressed gratitude to the global community of elite and amateur runners interested in the marathon, but offered no additional explanation for the decision.

Koryo Tours indicated that the decision to cancel the marathon was made at a higher level than the event organizers and partners, suggesting that it was beyond their control. The agency is seeking further clarification on the reasons behind the cancellation. The announcement has disappointed many runners who had already registered or were planning to participate in the event.

Based in Beijing, Koryo Tours offers marathon packages to foreigners, with departures from Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenyang. These packages, which include a marathon entry and tours of Pyongyang's highlights, start at €2,190 ($2,529; £1,894) for a 2.5-night stay in the North Korean capital. The agency's website noted that tickets for this year's marathon were sold out. Koryo Tours has assured that all deposits will be refunded to registered participants, who also have the option to retain their deposit for a future event or tour in North Korea.

The Pyongyang Marathon is open to both amateur and professional athletes, offering several race distances: 5km, 10km, half marathon, and full marathon. As of now, no date has been set for the 2027 marathon, leaving the future of the event uncertain.