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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Shweta Sharma

North Korea marathon mysteriously cancelled as tour agency says we ‘will probably never know’ the real reason

Foreign competitors cross the starting line during the annual 'Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon', at Kim Il Sung stadium in Pyongyang in 2019 - (AFP via Getty Images)

North Korea has abruptly cancelled the sold-out annual Pyongyang Marathon without specifying a reason why, leaving it up to travel agencies and event partners to inform participants.

Koryo Tours, a British-owned tour operator based in Beijing, said it had been directly informed by North Korea’s Athletics Association that the 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon would no longer go ahead as scheduled on 5 April.

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