Guinnes world record run cancelled due to War
An ultra distance challenge in the desert has been cut short amid rising geopolitical strain in the Middle East. According to reporting by Karol Osinski for o2.pl, Robert Karaś halted his Guinness World Record attempt in the United Arab Emirates after just one day, citing satellite signal interference and regional instability.
Karaś had travelled to the United Arab Emirates with the aim of running more than 6,000 kilometres across the country. The effort was scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. Polish time and was intended to mark another extreme endurance milestone in his career.
Record attempt collapses after one day
According to o2.pl, Karaś stopped after completing 82 kilometres. He said the attempt could not be officially recognised because GPS signals in the region were being disrupted, preventing accurate tracking of the distance required for Guinness verification.
Guinness World Records requires independently verifiable tracking data for ultra distance achievements. Without reliable satellite documentation, such attempts cannot be certified.
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In a post published on Instagram, Karaś wrote:
"We have reached 82 kilometres. Most of you know that my attempt will not be recognised because of the conflict between Iran and the United States. We will have to start over. The military is blocking GPS signals and my signals have been lost. The run is over, but that is not the most important thing. The important thing is that the conflict ends. Well, that is life. We are safe,"
In the message, he attributed the loss of GPS tracking to military interference and stressed that safety was more important than sporting ambition.
Safety concerns overshadow sporting goals
Karaś suggested that the broader security situation in the region had affected not only his attempt but also civilians. He indicated that reliable navigation and team coordination were no longer guaranteed under the circumstances.
The athlete had earlier used Instagram to rally supporters before the start of the challenge. In a motivational post, he wrote:
"The time has come to fight. The time has come to suffer. Tomorrow at 7:00 Polish time we set off for the Guinness record in a run across the United Arab Emirates. More than 600 kilometres of struggle. Yesterday a Briton improved the world record. Respect. Now it is our turn. We have already been to places most people do not even want to look at. That is why a run through the desert does not scare us. Polish strength is coming. Keep your fingers crossed,"
The reference in that post to 600 kilometres contrasts with earlier descriptions of a 6,000 kilometre route. According to o2.pl, the planned distance was more than 6,000 kilometres. The discrepancy has not been publicly clarified.
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Return dependent on regional stability
Karaś said he intends to restart the process once conditions in the Middle East stabilise. He did not provide a timeline but indicated that the attempt would have to begin again from the start in order to meet official verification standards.
Sources: o2.pl
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