Cancellation of Pyongyang Marathon Announced
North Korea has announced the cancellation of the Pyongyang Marathon scheduled for 2026, citing unspecified reasons, according to a tour agency associated with the event.
British-owned Koryo Tours, which identifies itself as the official partner of the marathon, stated on Monday that it received notification of the cancellation from North Korea's athletics association.
The message attributed to the association indicated the marathon was being cancelled "due to some reasons".
Background and Significance of the Event
The Pyongyang Marathon is an annual event established in 1981 to commemorate the birth of North Korea's founding leader, Kim Il Sung. The 2026 race had been scheduled for 5 April.
The communication, reportedly from the general secretary of the North Korea athletics association, expressed gratitude to participants worldwide:
"Thank you to all the Elite Marathoners and Amateur Runners of the world who are interested in Pyongyang International Marathon".
No further details were provided regarding the reasons behind the cancellation.
Response from Koryo Tours
Koryo Tours indicated that the decision to cancel was final and appeared to have been made "at a level above the organisers of the event itself." The agency said it would seek further clarification on the circumstances surrounding the decision.
The company emphasized that neither the event organizers nor its partners were involved in the cancellation decision and acknowledged the disappointment this announcement would cause among runners who had registered or planned to participate.
Tour Packages and Refund Policy
Based in Beijing, China, Koryo Tours offers several marathon packages for foreign participants, departing from cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenyang.
Packages start at €2,190 ($2,529; £1,894) for 2.5 nights in Pyongyang, including a marathon entry and tours of the capital's highlights. According to the agency's website, tickets for this year had sold out.
The company confirmed that all deposits paid will be refunded, and runners have the option to retain their deposits for future events or tours in North Korea.
A date for the 2027 marathon has not yet been announced.
Event History and Race Details
The Pyongyang Marathon returned last year after a five-year suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event is open to both amateur and some professional athletes and offers multiple race distances, including 5km (3.1 miles), 10km (6.2 miles), half marathon (21.1km; 13.1 miles), and full marathon (42.2km; 26.2 miles).
