Jo Scott (M50) 28 September 2024

Pooley Bridge - Heather, Jo, Scott, Rueben, and Becca

I think I’ve read almost all of these write-ups in the hope of gleaning valuable nuggets of advice on route choice, timings or training that might help me join the list. So rather than wax lyrical about my personal fell running journey and fragile emotional state in the lead up to my attempt let’s get to some facts:

I’m M53, I’ve completed the Bob Graham Round in 22+ hours in both 2005 and 2015. I’m not a quick runner on the flat (I can’t break 21 minutes for a Parkrun) and in a long fell race I’d expect to be about 50% slower than the winner. However, I am good on rough ground, fast on descents, confident with navigation, and have good endurance for long challenges.

By my calculation the Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge is very close to 2/3rds the distance and 2/3rds the climb of the Bob Graham Round. Or to put it another way for an M50-55 to complete the challenge in less than 12 hours then you need to be going at 18 hour Bob Graham Round pace.

The published M50-55 schedule on the Challenge website is very biased towards a fast start and slower finish. After my first reccy from Pooley Bridge to High Street it was clear that to stand any chance I would need to follow a much more evenly paced schedule and minimise stops. My final schedule assumed I’d do the first leg 15% faster than even pace and the final leg 15% slower.

I know the Lakes well and recc’ed most of the route to figure out the best lines and refine my times. Unlike the Bob Graham Round where I guess there is now a trod all the way, there are sections of the Joss where the quickest route is pathless and being confident about where you are going can save time.

On my final training run 3 weeks ahead of my attempt I went from Pooley Bridge to the top of Steel Fell exactly on my schedule. By that point I was utterly exhausted and dehydrated. I crawled up the final slopes and collapsed by the cairn. I was ready to give up on an attempt this year but my wife Becca had more faith (or was just fed up of my moaning) and encouraged me to go ahead …

Leg 1 – Support runners Scott Morley (Eden Runners) and Heather Guy (Eden Runners)

Running towards High Street

What a relief to get started after all the planning and worrying. A perfect autumn morning made for very friendly conditions. Heather and Scott carrying all my stuff and passing food and drink on request meant I was gaining a minute here and there without any perceived extra effort and we arrived at Kirkstone Pass in 2hr 46 (11 minutes up on schedule) without a hitch.

Route notes: Head up past the reception of Park Foot campsite. Slant right down to Kirkstone Pass from the big block boulder about 200m after the col.

Leg 2 – Support runners Louisa Knox (Eden Runners) and Zeke Dixon (Eden Runners)

Heading towards Hart Crag

A slick pit-stop courtesy of my road supporter Ben Stansfield saw me fed and watered and off up Red Screes. Things were going well, I felt in control. However, over the course of the leg I felt increasingly queasy and I was glad of the distraction of Louisa and Zeke chatting away to each other whilst I plodded on. As we headed up Dove Crag we passed Albert Sunter doing his M65 Joss Naylor attempt and looking very strong. Fairfield came and went, I practised my retching while running, and suddenly we were at Dunmail Raise with the boost of Ben, Becca and a few more minutes gained 4hr 39 (16 minutes up on schedule).

Route notes: Take the Hodgson Brothers Relay route from Red Screes towards Hart Crag

Leg 3 – Support runners Daniel Black and Pat Bartlett

After my last training run I was fearful of Steel Fell but this time the ascent was OK and I could run again once things levelled off. Heading up the soft ground towards High Raise time seemed to slip away. My target split slipped past with the summit still not in sight and the weather worsening. Four minutes lost. I lost another minute on Rossett Pike in worsening weather. My stomach was in a mess and my spirits were sinking. I was going as fast as I thought I could without blowing up and was still leaking time.

The ascent of Bowfell was probably my lowest point. I kept slipping on the greasy rocks and felt like I was slowing down. Daniel and Pat did their best to keep my spirits up but my expectation of suceeding was slim. If Joss had been there I’d have had some choice words with him. So it was a real boost to arrive at the summit of Bowfell and find I’d climbed it a few seconds faster than target. I knew Esk Pike and Great End would be OK and I could probably hurtle down to Sty Head. In the event wet rocks made the descent treacherous and slower than otherwise but still quick. 8hrs (14 minutes up on schedule)

Route notes: Skirt the top of Calf Crag, ascend the left/south side of Birks Gill and cross soft ground to a big cairn on the path to High Raise. Reccy the descent off Great End. There are a few tiny cairns and trods but what worked best for me might not suit someone else.

Leg 4 – Dave Baglee (Eden Runners) and Mike Innerdale (Eden Runners)

On Kirk Fell

Reaching Sty Head felt like a huge boost. I’d not really expected to get that far. My new support team of Dave and Mike were full of encouragement and Ben had unexpectedly walked in from Borrowdale with his camping chair and bag of treats.

The last leg contains 5,000ft of climb and I feared just running out of steam so I forced down a gel and drink on every big climb. Not wanting to go through this again was a significant motivation to keep going at this point. On the way down Great Gable I got tempted by a bit of path that dropped us onto a horrible scree slope. There was no going back so we just had to skitter down it. Kirk Fell went OK then heading down Joss’s gully Dave and I realised there was no sign of Mike. Ummm… carry on. In the build up I’d imagined myself running bits of the long ascent to Pillar and now here I was doing it fuelled by words of encouragement and titbits of food from Dave. I reasoned that if I could get up Pillar within my split I might admit to feeling more confident than not of finishing in 12 hours.

Just Two Fells Left

Mike appeared in the distance behind and we arrived at the trig point just inside target. Scoat Fell, Steeple, Haycock. At this point I finally checked how long I had left. 90 minutes to do a scheduled 70 minutes. Hooray. If I could just get up Seatallan then I knew I’d do it. I found a great scree descent off Haycock and plodded up Seatallan. 1 hour to do a scheduled 40 minutes. I was going to do it and could relax and enjoy it at last. After skirting Seatallan Mike finally caught us up before Middle Fell with tales of lost phones and navigational mistakes. Evening sun on Middle Fell, a roll down to Greendale Bridge and the embrace of my friends and family. Wow !! I’d done it. Sadly no Joss any more to shake the hand of finishers but what an amazing challenge he’s left us all. Thank you Joss.

Greendale Bridge - Pat, Daniel, Jo, Dave, and Ben

11hrs 38min total

Route notes: Reccy Joss’s gully coming off Kirk Fell it might not be for you. The scree descent off Haycock was quick and is visible in satellite views but I don’t know about other options.

All of that probably seems very intense and most of it was. I had moments to take in my surroundings; the views across to Helvellyn in the early morning sun, a buzzard pouncing on its prey on the way up Red Screes, a rainbow framing our route ahead to Hart Crag, the clouds parting to reveal Wastwater, then Ennerdale Water, and evening views across to the Isle of Man. But for me most of the pleasure came from the support I received; the people running, driving, carrying, feeding and encouraging me to achieve my dream. Thank you all.

Richard Andrews (M55) - 31 August 2024

Paul Chrisp (M60) - 18 August 2014

Simon Franklin - JNLC Recorder

 I am very pleased to announce that Simon Franklin will take over as the Recorder for the Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge on January 1, 2025.

Simon completed his Crossing in April 2021 and brings enthusiasm, commitment and technical skills to the role. We are working together to achieve a smooth transition and to ensure everything is in place for the start of the 2025 season.

More details will follow in due course and Simon can be contacted at jossnaylor1990@gmail.com.
I wish Simon every success and hope he enjoys being the Recorder as much as I have for the last 12 years. 

Ian Charters

Mark Hartell (M60) with Stephen Watts (M60-Repeat) - 31 July 2024

 Joss Naylor Challenge

31^st July 2024

Mark Hartell and Stephen Watts

Total Time: 16 hrs and 49 minutes

Shortly after my 59^th birthday, I started thinking about the big 60 milestone and, very quickly, decided that a JNT would be an essential part of what I wanted to achieve in my 61^st year. With osteo-arthritis in both ankles and refurbished kneecaps in February 2023 I knew this would be no easy day out but it is always good to have goals especially those that, to some, seem a little far-fetched.

Twice, during the winter months, I set aside weekends in the Lakes to recce sections of the route and twice I was sent home with my tail firmly between my legs and a feeling that my days of moving well over Lake District terrain were over. Wet rock and high winds reduced me to staggering around, yelping in pain and crawling on all fours. I set the idea to the back of my mind.

I chased the cutoffs on Edale Skyline and had a decent springs training on the bike with a few hard rides under my belt but still was very wary of heading back to the Lakes. Come early July and the JNT was suddenly back on the radar as my partner was invited to a low-key attempt. In a triumph of optimism over experience I pulled out maps, poles, gels and all the necessary, drove to the Lakes and set off from Pooley Bridge one sunny morning in early July. The plan was to get to Grizedale Tarn then head down to Patterdale so I could return to the car. I didn’t look at times but hiked and shuffled by feel. The main thing being that at the finish I didn’t feel totally wrecked. The next day I set off from Wasdale Head to Styhead and found my way to the finish. Much better than I had expected; I was smiling! Checking the times I realised it was still going to be a challenge but I set a schedule for 17½ hours and recruited some support.

Steve was the obvious first choice. Still fit, a steady head, great navigator and, bonus, it seemed he would come with a wife (Mel) a van and a daughter (Steph) who wanted to run a leg or two as well.

I’d also recently reunited with an old student friend who I hadn’t seen for 20 years and Ian volunteered for leg 3, Central Fells. We had a plan and a team. As the day approached, others volunteered to be part of the day too so it was set to be a great day out with old friends.

The days leading up to anything long in the Lakes inevitably involve looking at 3 different forecasts several times a day but amazingly it seemed that my old “Rainboy” tag was set to be superseded. After a short night's sleep at Martin and Debbie’s house (Sportident central) the forecasts held true with a beautiful, dry warm and slightly humid day (once it got light!)

Leg 1: Stephen Watts/Neil King

By the time we unearthed Neil from his van on the “wrong” side of the bridge, we were a few minutes late but I kept reminding myself this was not a race nor a record attempt. The key was simply to keep moving and stay strong. A delightful dawn over Loadpot Hill and the first section passed comfortably and uneventfully except for a bit of a flounder and a few curses from me as we took a direct line down to Kirkstone.

Leg 2: Stephanie Watts, Stephen Watts, Jude Jepson, Neil King and Olive (the dog)
Quite the gathering. The Jude/Spyke/Olive combo had obviously decided to take a day off from roofing and renovating and Stephanie was home from Spain and finding it just about warm enough for her liking.

Temperatures were delightful, the banter was good, I was still eating and everything was proceeding well as we arrived a Dunmail a couple of minutes up.

Leg 3: Ian Hill, Alison Wright (part), Stephen Pyke (Spyke) and Stephen Watts (Swatts)

I suppose it was about this time that I started to think Swatts might be planning a full day out. Nevertheless, he was still carrying stuff for me, running ahead to all the tops to take times and generally carrying out all the duties of a pacer.

Seeing Alison for the first time in about 2 decades was great and I was happy that Ian and I had run this section 2 weeks earlier and had all the lines dialled in. Well, apart from the one to High Raise – this is where the humidity and heat kicked in and suddenly I lost 15-20 minutes in a little over an hour. I went quiet and introspective as I did not want this to become a battle against the 18 hours. Fortunately, the low spot passed and by the time we were coming off Bowfell the time bleed had stopped and we gained back a couple of minutes on each top. By the time we were heading down to Styhead Tarn, I was feeling relaxed again: an hour in hand, weather holding, eating again and ankles not too painful.
Melanie had gone above and beyond, carrying water, quiche and all sorts of treats up to the stretcher box so we set off, well-refuelled, onto leg 4.

Leg 4: Stephanie Watts, Stephen Watts, Stephen Pyke (Spyke) Geoff Pettengell (part), Debbie Thompson (greeting on Middle Fell)

So, it was official, Swatts was clearly going to come the whole way AND support me. Great Gable is a bit of a pull at that stage in the game and I had some trepidation about the descent but both passed without incident as did the gully off Kirkfell. Before I knew it we were high on Pillar and psychologically closing in on the finish, except that the recce had taught me that Seatallan packs a little punch and it’s never easy until you are in the bracken coming off Middle Fell. Nonetheless, we finished in daylight with plenty of time before last orders and the whole day was just a lovely day out with friends. A fine way to spend my 60^th Birthday!

Mark

Chief Pacer’s Account

Well, for anyone who knows me, it will be fairly obvious that there was no plan. After turning 60 in 2023, I had wondered how I might mark the occasion, but beyond that, no plans had been made. After 5-6 years away from running, I was once again starting to enjoy getting out fell running. A number of the championship races this year together with the Old Counties Tops fell race and the Saunders Mountain Marathon had kept me relatively content.

I can't remember exactly when, but sometime towards the beginning of July, Mark was suddenly very keen that he needed to take me to a cafe for a discussion over coffee. We wandered along to the Clarence Mill, where Mark told me about his plan to run the JNT on his 60^th birthday, which was on 31^st July 2024, and he asked whether I would support him on a leg or two. During the conversation, I also recall, Mark asking me whether I thought it was a daft idea, bearing in mind his knees and ankles. I couldn't say whether he would complete the crossing, but I knew from years of experience that Mark can dig very deep when the going gets tough and I was quite sure that he would not take on the challenge lightly. That view was confirmed when, over the next couple of weeks, Mark recced much of the route.

At this time, I had no intention of running the whole route. I agreed to support the first two legs and volunteered Mel (my wife) to do the road support. Stephanie (my daughter), who was on a flying trip back from Spain where she lives, asked if she could run a leg or two. So, the initial plan had been hatched; I would run legs 1 and 2 with Mark, Ian Hill, a university friend of Mark's, would run leg 3 and Stephanie would do leg 4.

During the week leading up to the attempt, I could see that the weather forecast was reasonable, and it was only then that occurred to me (but only briefly) that I could carry on with Mark after leg 2. However, this was Mark's attempt; it was his birthday treat, and therefore I decided I would just go with the flow.

Leg 1: Mark Hartell/Neil King

A 4:07 am start began in the dark, but we were soon taking off wind proofs and head torches after passing through the fell gate at the top of Park Foot camping/caravan site. A beautiful dawn and putting the world to rights; what could be better? All passed smoothly until I led the descent on the direct line to Kirkstone. I thought my time was up, if Mark could catch me!

Leg 2: Stephanie Watts, Mark Hartell, Jude Jepson, Neil King and Olive (the dog)

Jude and Spyke were waiting with Mel at the pit stop. Mark briefly stopped whilst I stopped to faff and chat to Spyke, who asked whether I was going to carry on after Dunmail. I had been in doubt, but the opportunity to catch up with Spyke was tempting.

A quick march up Red Screes then followed eventually catching the rest up near the top and time to catch up with Jude.

Leg 3: Ian Hill, Alison Wright (part), Stephen Pyke (Spyke) and Mark Hartell

A bit more faffing at Dunmail, as I had not prepared for carrying on further, meant another delayed start to a leg. Spyke kept me company as I battled to catch the others before the top of Steel Fell. Then time to chat with Ian and Alison, both of whom I had heard about, but never previously met.

The leg passed uneventfully, a few minutes lost here and then a few minutes gained, but generally all on track. The weather was almost perfect although perhaps a little too warm.

Mel and Steph were waiting at Sty Head with food, and water together with Geoff and Josh. Slightly different to my JNT attempt at 50, some 10 years earlier when the timetable was somewhat tighter, and Mel got delayed. On that occasion, Digby and I accosted a kindly-looking runner to ask whether he had any food he could spare and he proceeded to turn his rucksack out and told us to help ourselves to a selection of bars and Kendal Mint Cake.

I had thought about walking back down to Wasdale with Mel from Sty Head, but when I arrived it seemed like such a glorious day that it would be rude not to accompany Mark to the end.

Leg 4: Stephanie Watts, Mark Hartell, Stephen Pyke (Spyke) Geoff Pettengell (part), Debbie Thompson (greeting on Middle Fell)

The early evening is a fantastic time to be running across Lakeland fells. Steeple, Haycock, Seatallen and Middle Fell were all particularly splendid and it was a delight to accompany the others to Grendale Bridge.

Thanks to everyone involved in a truly splendid day out in the hills, and particularly to Mark for his excellent idea for celebrating his birthday.

Stephen

Steve Lumb (M65-Repeat) with Chris Lumb (M65) - 28 July 2024

Big birthday coming up in September, could I complete my 4th crossing before then. Maybe not leave it to the last 2 weeks before, like last time. Brother Steve keen to do a first crossing, how about doing it together? 

We’ve run KIMMs, OMMs and LAMMs together (Steve has a ‘certifiable' 30 KIMM/OMMs under his belt). We had the opportunity to run together in the Scottish Islands Peaks Race in May - which we’d last done together in 2000. Great running, sailing and wildlife spotting - and the unsurprising discovery that 24 years older translated into 24 years (or 50%) slower. So we’d better get some more longer runs out together - cue a very enjoyable Abraham’s Tea Round completed in an overall time of 10:30. 

 An attempt on the JNC seemed even more appropriate following the sad but very moving celebration of Joss at Wasdale Head. So many ‘old’ faces, several of whom had supported my previous crossings, coming together and sharing happy memories. Not least, on a previous crossing, Leigh Warburton, who had materialised unexpectedly out of the dark in Pooley Bridge at 4am, having driven up from Preston that morning, not just to meet and greet but to support me on Leg 1. Friends and stars all! 

So what schedule to set ourselves for our crossing attempt. We are 69 and 67 so have the luxury, if that’s the right word, of 24 hours (although on the 3hrs extra each age group I’d expected it to be 21hrs). Our recently discovered ’add 50% rule’, applied to the 12hr time limit for the 50-55 age group, gave us 18hrs. So we borrowed the 18hr schedule from the JNC website. 

We agreed that we’d attempt it unsupported on the fells, with crossing support once again provided kindly, capably (and tolerantly) by my wife, Viv. Colin Dulson, regular running companion, who ran with and supported Joss on his inaugural crossing, said he’d love to join us on Legs 1&2 - welcome on board, Colin. 

Saturday 26 July - or not, when the weather forecast suggested that we’d be spending the first 12 hours (and the dark) in heavy rain. An advantage of being a small team was that it was easy to shift it to the Sunday and a very promising forecast. A midnight start given that we wanted to finish in daylight (in time for the customary fish and chips, curry sauce and mushy peas….) and Steve rightly said that we wouldn’t be able to sleep on Saturday night anyway. 

Arriving at Pooley Bridge we were welcomed by disco music blaring out from the hotel opposite. Photos taken, the three of us headed off. Park Foot negotiated via an inadvertent visit to one of the dog walking areas, Arthur’s Pike a nice warm up. Loadpot Hill, a different route every time I’ve climbed it; this time, in the dark, probably the worst route. Steady away up to High Raise, under clear skies and a half moon, and onto more frequently run and familiar territory. Arrived at Kirkstone, car park packed with camper vans, ours snuggled into into a corner. Unfortunately, Colin wasn’t feeling very well and didn’t want to slow us down (he wouldn’t have done) so he took a lift through to Dunmail. 

Refuelled and rehydrated, Steve and I headed off up Red Screes (ignoring Colin’s challenge to break my 18 minute record to the top). Head torches coming down, chat with 4 very lightly clad lads who’d had an evening in Windermere and decided to head up to Red Screes for a very early morning walk. They’d enjoyed it so much that they were planning to invest in some walking gear, - converts! Up to the top, no new records, and an enjoyable run through to Dunmail. Welcomed at Dunmail by Viv and Colin - and unexpectedly and very kindly, by JNC meet and greeter Julie Gardner and her terrier, Lottie (both fellow Kendal Conservation Volunteers). Stocked up with extra rations and Katadyns to get drinking water on route, with no support at Styhead. 

Steady away up Steel Fell, more of a Bob Graham support route heading past Calf Crag than the route I should have taken, too deep in conversation with Steve. Then a low cloud covered and not the quickest route up High Raise (my previous schedules have always seemed tight or unachievable on this leg). Steady progress through to Great End and an unusually good line off it down to Styhead. I’d translated No Support into No Rest on our schedule - more sensibly, we took a 7 minute rest to refuel, rehydrate and sort ourselves out. Steve and I very well matched on running speed (slow or walking) and climbing (one foot in front of the other, even slower. We’d already realised and agreed that we were likely to be over our schedule and that we would just set a pace that we both thought we could sustain. 

Leg 4 was both tough and enjoyable. Tough climbs and descents on tired legs, resorting to Steve’s proffered jelly babies and my dry roast peanuts, to keep us fuelled. Plenty of running water to refill our bottles. Stunning views over the fells and down into the valleys to remind us what fell running is all about. A light breeze to cool us down on the tops, some clouds to keep the strong sun off us and, not least, Steve’s excellent company. Great Gable and Kirk Fell behind us, we knew Pillar would be the long haul that it was. Seatallan’s ascent always a sting in the tail, Middlefell and we’re nearly there. Steve leading the descent to Greendale - confusing Viv by heading direct to the bridge rather than via the camper van - in the end a good decision because we finished in 18:30, a nice round number, tired but delighted. Nothing that some Coca Cola, crisps and fish and chips at the Bridge couldn’t start to cure. 

A very big thanks to Viv, Colin, Julie and Ian Charters for all their fabulous support and encouragement. And a huge thanks to Steve for sharing his challenge with me, for the fun we had preparing for it and for such a memorable (for all the right reasons) night and day out on the fells. Brilliant! 

Chris & Steve Lumb

Jean Brown (W55-Repeat) - 13 July 2024