I
guess that if you are reading this you already know about the JNC in
terms of its history, ethos, route and schedules.
I
had helped a good friend, Susan Davis on her successful journey back
in 2015 I had really enjoyed completing three legs of the route on
that day.
After
a 2016 where I lost some people from my life whom I had loved and
valued it gave me the spur to raise some money for three charities,
Cancer Research UK, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the
North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team.
The
JNC seemed the perfect challenge to take on.
I
am a long way from being any kind of ‘elite’ fell runner but I
never turn down an opportunity to get out on the hills and part of
this whole experience has been the enjoyment of doing the training
and the reccy’s over this absolutely brilliant route! Some
memorable days in all sorts of weather with great company learning
the way, exploring options, finding new lines and just taking it all
in!
I
have been truly humbled by the support I’ve had for my attempt both
in terms of sponsorship (I’ve raised over £3,000, more than I ever
imagined) and on the hill and at the roadside on the big day.
There
is quite a group of North East based fell runners interested in this
type of challenge and I had was fortunate to have some ‘old’
(literally!) hands with me as well as some youngster’s!
The
weather on the day was beautiful when I set off at 07.00, though it
was going to get very hot later in the day especially when I got to
Dunmail where it was absolutely baking at 12.24! Until then I had
trundled along Leg 1 & 2 gaining time on my 14.40 schedule but I
started to feel the heat on the ‘1,000’’ staircase to Steel
Fell. The journey across to High Raise turned into a slog because I
really was dehydrated and my two pacers Paul Appleby and Nick Spencer
kept me going. At one point I said to Nick ‘it’s not going to
happen today’ but you know what – it did. I thought about the
sponsorship and all the people who had turned out for me and that was
the motivator that kept me going.
When
Paul told me we had only lost 9 minutes getting to High Raise it was
such a boost! I was expecting him to say 20 – reverse psychology I
guess!
Anyway
that was the bad patch over. The heat was tempered by a good breeze
and I picked up and started to pull back time on that fantastic
section of the route between Rossett Pike and Styhead. We got the
descent from Great End to Styhead absolutely spot on and at Styhead
my team had brought up plenty of food and drink for refuelling.
 |
| Climbing Great Gable (Allon Welsh) |
We
departed there at 16.52, 20 minutes up on schedule and ticked off the
remaining tops on an absolutely beautiful evening. The views across
to the Scafells in the warm evening light were stunning.
I
reached Greendale at 21.25, 35 minutes inside my 15 hour target and
the icing on the cake was to shake ‘The Shepherds Hand’! Joss was
there and what a top man he is – genuinely interested in how the
journey had gone. He and Mary chatting away with all of us – we
must have been there for half an hour, despite the midgies! Some
great pictures and Sandra saying to the man ‘I can’t believe it
I’m standing next to a legend’!!
 |
| With Joss (Graham Dalgleish) |
I
had told everybody involved beforehand that I wanted it to be a
memorable day for everyone – it certainly was and that to me is
what the JNC is all about!
Many
thanks to all my sponsors and particularly to my pacer’s and
supporters, Gwenda & Les Cavill, John Telfer, Dave Hall, Peter
Moralee, Nick Spencer, Paul Appleby, Allon & Sally Welsh, Tina
Jackson, Peter Reed, Geoff & Susan Davis, Mick & Sandra
Curry, Dave Rickaby, Graham Daglish, Elaine Cowie, and finally to
Linda, my wife, no1 supporter, driver, car park attendant, pit stop
manager and organiser! It wouldn’t have happened without you!
 |
| Greendale Bridge (Mary Naylor) |
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