Pyongyang: Tickets for North Korea's 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon, scheduled for April 5 in the capital, sold out just a few hours after sales began, a Beijing-based tour agency reported Tuesday. Koryo Tours, which specializes in travel to North Korea, made the announcement on its social media account, stating that all 500 spots for the marathon trips have been filled.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Koryo Tours is working to open additional spots for the trip and has encouraged interested individuals to join a waiting list. The agency's website had earlier revealed that the marathon, to be held on April 5, offers departures from Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenyang.

The Pyongyang International Marathon features four courses: a full 42-kilometer run, a half marathon, a 10 km race, and a 5 km race. It is also accessible to runners with disabilities, including wheelchair users and those with visual impairments. However, individuals holding South Korean, U.S., Malaysian, or Japanese passports, as well as members of the press, are prohibited from participating.

The marathon, originally named the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, was first held in 1981 to honor the April 15 birthday of North Korea's late national founder, Kim Il-sung. After a five-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event resumed last year, serving as a means for the country to generate foreign currency.