(CNN) Distance runners looking for an unconventional challenge will have to look beyond the Korean peninsula for now -- North Korea has barred foreign participants from April's Mangyongdae Prize Marathon, held in the capital, Pyongyang.

Citing fears of the spread of Ebola, North Korean officials have slapped a ban on runners -- both professional and amateur -- from overseas. The marathon is going ahead, but only for locals.

Koryo Tours, the Beijing-based travel agency that specializes in trips to the reclusive nation, told CNN that they had been informed of the decision and were in the process of canceling the some 465 applications they were processing for the spring race.

Last year was the first time that the marathon had been opened to foreign amateurs. Only about 30 foreign amateurs ran the full marathon that time, Will Philipps, a participant in the race, wrote in an article for CNN last April.

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