Pavel Paloncý seen during one of his Pennine Way record attempts. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
Czech endurance runner Pavel Paloncý has begun an attempt on a winter completion of the Lake District Wainwrights.
The athlete began his challenge on Sunday morning, hoping to summit all 214 peaks.
A complete round of the mountains described by Alfred Wainwright in his series of Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells has only been achieved once in winter. James Gibson completed the 318-mile (512km) route, which involves 36,000m (118,110ft) of ascent, in December 2021, taking 8 days 6hrs 43mins 49secs to run the distance.
Paloncý set off from the Moot Hall in Keswick at 8am in worsening weather, with Storm Corrie threatening to lash the Lakeland fells. Wind speeds of more than 50mph are forecast above 900m, with sub-zero temperatures and windchill as low as -15C.
The inov-8 ambassador is no stranger to long-distance challenges and has completed the Spine Race along the full length of the Pennine Way, winning the event on two occasions. He has also taken part in the Dragon’s Back Race in Wales. He has twice had to abandon attempts to set a fastest time for running the Pennine Way.
Previous Wainwrights record-holder Steve Birkinshaw joined Paloncý for part of the route on Sunday. He is also being supported on his challenge by fellow Czech endurance athlete Markéta Peggy Marvanová.
Before setting out, the Czech runner said: “Planning for winter in the UK seems like trying to predict outcome of a lottery, Arsenal football matches or Czech train arrivals.
“The last 24 hours has been like a dream. I received so many support messages and help offers, without running a single km (or mile)! With such a level of support even the second part will be easy, huh?
“What could possibly go wrong? Well, anything and everything, but that is part of the game. That is what it makes so appealing, success is not granted.”
At the time of writing, Paloncý had summited 23 Wainwrights and was heading out along the ridge south-west of Buttermere.
His progress can be followed on the Follow Me website.
