Early Bird Registration Opens For 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon: A Unique Travel Opportunity

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

The North Korean capital’s yearly marathon, 1 of nan fewer opportunities for world visitors to sojourn and spot nan reclusive country, is already moving connected its 2026 edition. The Beijing-based recreation institution Koryo Tours, focusing connected tours into North Korea, has now officially opened nan registration for nan marathon, pinch an charismatic 50% early vertebrate complaint erstwhile signing up earlier September 1, 2025. Scheduled for April 2026, nan marathon offers a unsocial chance to not only sojourn North Korea’s superior but besides to tally successful a world-famous diversion arena that attracts runners globally.

The 2026 event, then, would beryllium different measurement successful North Korea’s activity to usage tourism arsenic a measurement of making difficult currency, a measurement that has taken connected renewed urgency for nan country’s economy. With world tourism reaching caller heights, nan Pyongyang Marathon has go nan lynchpin of this approach. The marathon has a agelong history and was started successful 1981 arsenic portion of yearly celebrations to people nan day of Kim Il-sung, nan laminitis of nan North Korean regime. An yearly arena until nan 2020 hiatus during nan COVID-19 pandemic, and resumed successful 2025, it has drawn complete 500 world competitors from complete 40 countries.

Event Details for 2026

The marathon is scheduled to return spot connected April 5, 2026, pinch nan nonstop day still to beryllium confirmed. Participants tin take betwixt various title categories, including nan afloat marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21 km), 10 km, and 5 km. Each title will return participants done nan bosom of Pyongyang, passing by important landmarks, specified arsenic nan Arch of Triumph and Kim Il-sung Square, giving runners a uncommon position of nan capital’s stunning architecture and unsocial atmosphere.

The commencement and decorativeness statement for each races will beryllium astatine nan iconic Kim Il-sung Stadium, which has hosted galore sporting events and is simply a cardinal venue successful Pyongyang. The marathon way is besides designed to connection a glimpse into nan regular life of Pyongyang’s citizens, making nan arena not only a beingness situation but besides a taste experience. It’s an acquisition that fewer outsiders get to enjoy, and it’s 1 that provides a unsocial opportunity to prosecute pinch North Korea successful a measurement that is not typically possible.

Early Bird Registration Discounts

Koryo Tours, nan charismatic recreation partner for nan event, is offering an charismatic early vertebrate discount of 50% disconnected nan registration fees for those who motion up by September 1, 2025. This connection is disposable crossed each title categories, making it an fantabulous opportunity for those who person ever dreamed of visiting North Korea while besides participating successful a world marathon event. The modular fees for erstwhile years’ events ranged from US$70 to $150, depending connected nan magnitude of nan course. While nan nonstop registration fees for 2026 person yet to beryllium announced, nan early vertebrate discount will importantly trim nan costs for those who return advantage of nan offer.

The marathon packages offered by Koryo Tours see afloat recreation arrangements, from flights to accommodations, and moreover guided tours of Pyongyang to thief participants get nan astir retired of their visit. The recreation agency ensures that participants are well-prepared for nan event, which includes visa arrangements for introduction into North Korea, accommodations astatine selected hotels, and proscription passim nan city. Koryo Tours offers all-inclusive packages that screen everything from presence to departure, making it arsenic hassle-free arsenic imaginable for visitors walking to a state pinch strict recreation regulations.

North Korea’s Marathon Revival

The 2026 version of nan Pyongyang International Marathon will people nan 2nd twelvemonth since nan arena resumed aft nan COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to world recreation to nan country. The 2025 marathon had a beardown world turnout, pinch runners from much than 40 countries, including China, Morocco, and Ethiopia. The arena successful 2025 was nan first since 2019 and generated a important magnitude of interest, pinch galore participants eager to acquisition an arena held successful 1 of nan astir secretive countries successful nan world.

The marathon is 1 of nan fewer nationalist events successful North Korea wherever foreigners tin interact pinch locals, making it a highly sought-after acquisition for adventurous travelers and marathon enthusiasts alike. The title is not only a sporting arena but besides an opportunity to witnesser nan country’s history and civilization firsthand, from nan grandiose monuments of Pyongyang to nan meticulously designed sports venues.

A Look astatine nan Race Categories

Participants successful nan Pyongyang International Marathon tin take from 4 title categories: nan afloat marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21 km), 10 km, and 5 km. Each title way is designed to showcase nan city’s astir celebrated landmarks, including nan Chollima Statue, nan Monument to nan Party Founding, and nan iconic Juche Tower. The marathon way is considered comparatively level and fast, making it an charismatic arena for some competitory runners and those moving for fun.

The marathon itself is 1 of nan fewer events successful nan world wherever runners from each backgrounds and countries tin compete together successful a state that is typically closed disconnected from nan extracurricular world. The chance to tally done nan streets of Pyongyang, alongside some section participants and world athletes, is an acquisition fewer group will ever get to person again. The marathon offers a uncommon chance to span nan taste disagreement and witnesser nan chopped measurement of life successful North Korea.

Travel and Visa Requirements

For those considering participating successful nan marathon, recreation arrangements are handled done Koryo Tours, which provides complete packages that see flights, accommodations, and visas. All participants will request to get a visa for North Korea, and Koryo Tours will assistance pinch nan visa process. It is important to statement that recreation to North Korea is highly regulated, and tours are mostly restricted to organized groups.

While world tourism to North Korea remains taxable to definite restrictions, nan Pyongyang International Marathon is 1 of nan fewer exceptions wherever overseas visitors are encouraged to participate. It is important to cheque for immoderate recreation advisories aliases updated accusation connected North Korea’s recreation policies earlier readying a trip.

Conclusion: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

The 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon is nan elite opportunity for nan benignant of traveler that very, very fewer will ever be. And pinch Koryo Tours’ early vertebrate discount, it’s easier—and cheaper—than ever to subordinate successful this once-in-a-lifetime experience. From nan thrill of nan title to nan opportunity of visiting an isolated state pinch galore taste sites, nan Pyongyang Marathon offers a tremendous experience.

It’s clip to registry and scheme if you want to go, for anyone interested. Experienced marathoners aliases novices who are looking for an breathtaking destination run, nan Pyongyang International Marathon is your opportunity to trial your limits and subordinate a North Korean taste acquisition that not galore person experienced.

References: Koryo Tours