Pavel Paloncý gave up his attempt when it was clear he could not break the record. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Czech ultrarunner Pavel Paloncý has abandoned his attempt to break the record for completing the Pennine Way.

The athlete pulled out of the challenge about half-way along the route, just beyond Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire.

He said it was clear he was not on track to beat Mike Hartley’s time, set 29 years ago.

It is the second year in succession the Czech runner has had to give up his quest to beat the fastest known time of 2 days 17hrs 20mins 15secs. He abandoned his attempt at Hadrian’s Wall in 2017.

Paloncý set off from Edale in Derbyshire at 5am on Friday. To take the record, he needed to arrive at Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders before 10.20pm on Sunday.

He said: “What went wrong? Not sure now; I need a proper analysis.

“Thanks everyone for the support. It was amazing to see so many people to turn up and help.

“I am slowly accepting that what looked as a one-time affair may turn into life-long project.”

An attempt on the Pennine Way fastest time earlier this year by Dave Stevens also ended when the Sutton Coldfield runner pulled out on the Cumbrian section of the Pennine Way when he and his support runner began to suffer from hypothermia.

He vowed to return to attempt to break the record next year