Pyongyang Marathon 2026 
Updated Information 

Updated: 18th May 2026

On Sunday, April 6th 2025, the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon took place in North Korea.

Koryo Tours, as the official partner for the Pyongyang Marathon, took in 200 foreign ‘amateur athletes’ from around 50 countries to take part in races from 5km to the full 42km marathon.

It was a big event, the first marathon in Pyongyang in six years. And it was a wonderful way to take visitors back to North Korea and to Pyongyang after over 5 years. Runners had the chance to enjoy the city, mix with the Korean people, and tour the capital city once again.

Since that time, interest has been high from those keen to participate in the next Pyongyang International Marathon 2026, which should take place in April 2026.

However, details remain to be confirmed. 

Here, we aim to lay out the current information available on the Pyongyang Marathon and what needs to be confirmed before trip packages can be planned and offered.

When will the next Pyongyang Marathon take place?
What packages will be offered for the next Pyongyang Marathon?
What will be the rules for the Pyongyang Marathon in 2026?
Pyongyang Marathon time limits
Where will the Pyongyang Marathon happen?
Do we need to qualify for the race?
How can we sign up for the Pyongyang Marathon?
When will we know more?

When will the next Pyongyang Marathon take place?

The date for the 2026 Pyongyang Marathon is not confirmed.

What do we know?

The event takes place in April and on a Sunday.

Previously it was almost always the second Sunday in April. However, this is not longer fixed. 

It could be that it is earlier than this. It could also be that it's later than this. 

If you see anyone offering dates for this and it is not confirmed by Koryo Tours - then please ignore them.

We will announce when dates are confirmed.

What packages will be offered for the next Pyongyang Marathon?

At the moment, this is still to be confirmed.

Until North Korea closed its borders in January 2020, a wide range of tours were offered at the time of the Pyongyang Marathon.

You could travel North Korea from 2 nights up to 2 weeks and beyond. There were also many options for train or plane entry or exit, a choice of hotels from budget to exclusive ones, and different itineraries from stays just in Pyongyang to trips around the whole country. Those areas previously opened to tourists, at least!

Packages for the Pyongyang Marathon 2025

However, for the 2025 event, only two tours were available for booking.

Tourism had not resumed, and all participants were registered as amateur athletes. Visas were supported by the DPRK Athletics Association and were not technically tourist visas.

Also, the lack of international passenger trains (not resumed at the time of the event) and the need to stay in only one hotel, as well as itineraries only being available in Pyongyang, meant that the only thing that could be offered were two 5-night tours, on overlapping dates.

What it will be like for April 2026 remains to be seen. There are no confirmed itineraries that we can offer yet as it all depends on whether tourism will resume by that time or not.

Insights on the 2025 experience can be found on our blog.

What will be the rules for the Pyongyang Marathon in 2026?

As with the last few marathons in Pyongyang, we anticipate being able to offer those who wish to participate a choice of;

What's included in the marathon package?

All those who enter receive a race t-shirt.

All who complete the race get a medal and a certificate, too.

Pyongyang Marathon time limits

The time limits are always confirmed late. However, we expect it to be the following: 

Previous full marathon finishing times have been longer. However, they have also (like in 2025) been cut back to 3.5 hours very late in the day. So, we advise those planning to run the full race that it is likely to be a firm and strict 3.5-hour cutoff.

If you cannot reliably complete a marathon in that time, we advise switching to a shorter race.

Where will the Pyongyang Marathon happen?

It will start and finish in Kim Il Sung Stadium in Pyongyang. It begins with a full crowd cheering on participants and football matches happening on the field there while the runners are out in the city.

Opening and closing ceremonies will happen before/after the race, and there will be snack bars, shopping, and seats to relax in for those who finish the race in time.

The course will be out in the city, passing major landmarks and on a route lined by local people keen to watch this event and cheer on runners. A map can be found here.

Do we need to qualify for the race?

No, everyone who signs up in time and in full can join the event and take a trip to North Korea (except those whose citizenships prohibit them from getting a DPRK visa).

There is no previous running or race experience needed.

Am I an 'amateur athlete'?

To register as ‘amateur athletes’ requires no athleticism. 

Many people simply choose short distances and take a gentle stroll around the city instead of competing for medals.

Medals are awarded to both elite runners and amateurs. You can see the race results for the Pyongyang Marathon 2025 here.

A full tour package is included with the trip. So you would not just be going to Pyongyang to run.

You can make the Pyongyang Marathon the focal point of a visit, or just something else to take part in while on a trip to North Korea. The choice is yours!

How can we sign up for the Pyongyang Marathon?

Right now, you cannot sign up for the Pyongyang Marathon. It is not yet confirmed.

All you need to do to be ready for the information to come is be on the Koryo Tours mailing list, follow our social channels such as Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter.

We also have a community on WhatsApp. You can join for timely information and conversations with fellow travellers and our staff. 

When we receive official updates and confirmation from our partners in Pyongyang, we will announce it as soon as we can!

When will we know more?

At the time of writing, this is unknown.

Speculation in Pyongyang ranges from August to November for when final decisions and confirmations will be available.

As soon as we know, you will know! 

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Get ready for an adventure at the next Pyongyang International Marathon 2026 in Pyongyang with Koryo Tours!

Koryo Tours
Official Partners of the Pyongyang Marathon