North Korea's Athletic Association announced the cancellation of the 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon "due to some reasons", Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based travel company, reported on 9/3. Koryo Tours identifies itself as the exclusive tourism partner for the event.

The race, originally scheduled for 5/4, would have marked the second time the event was held since North Korea reopened after Covid-19. The company described the cancellation as "unexpected" and indicated that "a level higher than the organizing committee made the decision".

"Currently, no further information has been provided", a Koryo Tours representative said.

Athletes participate in the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon on 26/4/2025. *AFP*

The Pyongyang International Marathon stands as North Korea's largest international sporting event. It offers visitors a rare chance to run through the capital’s streets. The 2025 race was widely seen as a signal of the nuclear-armed nation's post-pandemic reopening.

Last year's event attracted approximately 200 foreign athletes, who ran alongside over 200 North Korean participants. This number remained significantly lower than in 2019, when about 950 foreigners took part.

Chad O'Carroll, founder of NK News, a US-based website covering North Korea, suggested the decision may link to current global security fluctuations. O'Carroll commented that the last-minute cancellation shows Pyongyang is taking "a much more cautious approach to activities involving foreigners".

Hong Hanh (According to AFP)