Kilian Jornet drops out of 24-hour world record attempt after 11 hours

In a disappointing end to his 24-hour world record attempt, Kilian Jornet has officially dropped out, shortly after passing the 11-hour mark and 134.8 kilometres. Jornet had actually left the track sometime before this, but those following the attempt were hopeful he would be able to return and make up for lost time. When he dropped, he was on pace to break the record by six miles (the record, set by Greek ultrarunning legend Yiannis Kouros in 1997, is 188.5 miles or 303.56 kilometres).

The announcers said that Jornet had officially ended the record attempt, that he had been experiencing extreme dizziness and was advised by his doctor to stop the attempt (though other sources report he was having trouble with his knee).

RELATED: Yiannis Kouros suggests Kilian Jornet is shoe doping for 24-hour world record attempt

Five runners remain in the event. Of the five, only one, Sebastian Conrad Håkansson, is currently on pace to break the record, and has already set a new Norwegian 12-hour record. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIF3dtbAArb/

Records of this kind, when they are successfully broken, are not usually broken by much – so a break of 25 minutes can be fatal. Conditions are challenging, with the local temperature several degrees below 0 Celsius at 11 p.m. local time and the track slippery with ice. 

Wow fantastic first 100 miles for Hakansson in 12:38-39! pic.twitter.com/DcUmxKKCGc

— Camille Herron (@runcamille) November 27, 2020

Runners change direction on the track every four hours.

Viewers can follow the progress of the remaining runners here.