Rebekah Beadle (W55) - 29 August 2020

Bob Halstead (M60) - 29 August 2020

Ken Taylor (M70) - 24 August 2020

 After over sleeping & being woken by my support team I set off 21 minutes later than originally intended.

The day weather wise started off great, high cloud cover & a pleasant temperature ideal for running. Unfortunately things didn’t stay that way.

Mid way through the second leg the weather deteriorated to being cold wet & windy. By the time I got to Styhead I was freezing but after eating hot soup & coffee I changed into an extra dry Lifa & donned another layer of waterproofs + warm a hat with ear covering.

Happy to that I arrived at the Greendale Bridge in a time of 14 hours 22 minutes.

Karl Gray (M50) - 18 August 2020

 

Scoffer enquired last year at the start of autumn when I was turning 50? And ‘had I thought about doing the Joss Naylor Challenge’(JNC)? ‘Yes’ was my reply but I hadn’t really looked into it. I decided at that point to try make an attempt on the day of my 50^th birthday. Scoff was confident I could go for the record (his record!) and offered his support. Unfortunately it turned out to be a very wet autumn so my attempt was shelved for the following year.

2020 was my first year as a vet 50 and I had all the British and English championship races pencilled in on the calendar. The JNC was never far from my thoughts and was looking at when I could fit an attempt into what was a very busy race and recovery schedule. Then Covid hit and everything was off! As the travel restrictions were being eased and the Fell championship races had been cancelled I started to focus my thoughts on when it would be possible to safely and responsibly make an attempt at the JNC. I kept in touch with Ian Charters to get a feel for when attempts would be allowed? Finally news that Joss would make an announcement regards attempts towards the end of July. Joss subsequently allowed attempts to commence from the 25^th July with the appropriate social distancing measures in place. I had kept myself fit throughout lockdown but didn’t have any mountain running in my legs. I was still keen to make an attempt as soon as I could but Scoffer wisely suggested I wait a bit longer and get some more mountain running in. Turned out to be great advice! Making an attempt without Scoffer involved was out of the question. Therefore, I arranged my attempt for after he had returned from his holiday and also selected a midweek day to minimise contact with the hoards of weekend Lakeland tourists.

I was constantly searching for favourable weather forecasts in the days leading up to my attempt. Thunderstorms were initially looking likely and it was looking like another delay might be required. I had seen pictures of Mike Robinson’s attempt in the sun and heat and reminded myself to be careful what I wished for. The forecast of thunderstorms thankfully subsided but were replaced with a day of Lakeland rain. Not to be deterred I at least took the positive that at least it would be cool conditions and decided to go for it.

Driving up early on the day was an introduction to what I’d be in for…Rain! I arrived at Pooley Bridge 30 mins before the start but from the wrong side and the bridge was closed! Oh no! A mini panic ensued on where to park the car? It didn’t take long though and I soon arrived at Ben’s and Kirsty’s campervan in the main car park in plenty of time to get changed and prepared.

I set off on leg 1 supported by my good friends Ben Mounsey and Gav Mullholland. I was setting off on a 10 hour 15 minute schedule which was Scoffer’s record time. I had found out from my earlier recces that keeping to this schedule is certainly not to be taken lightly. The conditions soon deteriorated and I knew I’d have my work cut out. Ben and Gav were on strict orders not to let me get carried away and try to stick closely to the schedule. My plan was to save my legs in order to try and push on on legs 3 and 4. Despite the weather I felt I had a relaxing first leg with no mishaps arriving at Kirkstone pass a surprising 12 minutes up on schedule.

Leg 2 resposibility was given to more of my good friends and CVFR team mates Daz Kay and Shaun Godsman. There was never a consideration of anyone other than Daz navigating this leg. His obsession and dedication to Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay leg 3 is unequalled!! And he knows pretty much every blade of grass on these hills. His knowledge was invaluable in the claggy wet conditions and with Shaun looking after my hydration and food intake we didn’t put a foot wrong thus I arrived in Dunmail raise feeling in great shape and 13 minutes up on schedule. All going to plan.

Leg 3 is where Scoffer and Math Roberts would take over. This leg is certainly where this route starts to get serious. The terrain starts to ramp up in its severity and fatigue is starting to build. Math asked me if I wanted to be kept informed of my split times? I replied ‘only if I start to drop of the pace’ and at that point Scoffer said not to worry about the splits as we’d be making time not losing it! Math was meticulous in making sure I was eating and drinking enough and Scoffer’s navigation was awesome to witness! I knew these legs pretty well from the recces I’d done but in those conditions I would have struggled to nav and stay on route never mind keep to the schedule. We had a brief discussion on the climb to Great end regards dropping straight off or back tracking to Esk hause and running around and down the path. We decided we were fell runners and would just drop off Great end. It is certainly not for the faint hearted but scoffer again picked a great line off and my legs were still feeling good so we made good time to Styhead. At this point Math informed me I was 38 minutes up on schedule which took me completely by surprise. My initial hope of possibly going under the 10 hour mark was now certainly on!

Scoffer and Math were always going to be doing both leg 3 and 4 with Ben making the trip up to Styhead to refuel us. However, with our surprisingly quick progress we arrived prior to our support team and had to push on. We’d worked out that we just about had enough food and we’d be able to fill some bottles from the stream coming off Gable on the way up. Think Scoff regretted this decision filling the bottles and then trying to catch us back up. Again Scoff’s nav was superb and Math was doing a good job of rationing food to keep us all going. I had the last gel on the way up Seatallan just in time as this is where for the first time all day my legs started to complain. I recovered enough to make the climb and final descent of Middle Fell a pleasure arriving at Greendale Bridge at 5.32pm. Total time of 9 hours 32 minutes.

Distance challenges and the support it brings from the fell running community is special. This was certainly reflected in the support and commitment Scoffer the record holder had given me! The covid restrictions didn’t affect my attempt as it was always going to be minimal and kept under the radar of social media. Even Thirza Hyde didn’t know about it until the day!!

I might have my name on the record but I couldn’t have achieved this without my good friends and club mates to whom I am truly grateful! Ben Mounsey, Gav Mullholland, Ben Frechette, Mark O’Connor, Kirsty Hall, Emma Smyth, Daz Kay, Shaun Godsman, Helen Buchan, Math Roberts and Andrew ‘Scoffer’ Schofield.

John Fletcher (M55) - 15 August 2020

Jonathan Whitaker (M55) - 14 August 2020

There is an old adage which says ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun’ – too true, too true….

As with a lot of people I think the COVID furlough had meant I’d been able to get out more such that it felt I’d done sufficient training to now give the JNC a go. It had been hot all week, very hot, but the weather was due to change to rain in the coming days so, with a minimum support crew, including Helene my wife and two daughters Lexi age 16 and Eve age 15, we were off.

Pooley Bridge

05.00 am at Pooley Bridge in the semi-dark. With Helene and Eve as pacers we soon discarded torches as we gained height on the High Street spine with a thick cloud inversion below over Ullswater and to the South. A sliver of moon and cooling wind in a clearing blue sky accompanied us to Kirkstone.

Arthur's Pike

Descending Red Screes

Ascent to Fairfield

Great friend Gary Baum substituted for the ladies and we made good time over Red Screes before rising again above the fog rolling through Scandale Pass to reach Fairfield now in stark sunshine. The promise of a stifling day hinted as we descended to Dunmail and entered the hot moist air rising from the bracken.

A quick transition and Steel Fell came and went accompanied now by Phil Blanshard and Alex Heron who had kindly stepped in to help at short notice. We were making decent time but the oppressive heat started taking its toll on the ascent up High Raise. Things improved going up Bow Fell after which we made steady but slow pace through the baking glaring white stones of Esk Pike and Great End to arrive at Sty Head to meet my last leg stalwart Jane Meeks (12 hours 17 minutes herself on the JNC) and my eldest daughter Lexi.

Dunmail Transition

Leaving Dunmail

Ascending Steel Fell

Great Gable was the killer. 3 o’clock in the afternoon now and sun full over head with no wind. Jane and Lexi did an admiral job of coaxing me on and keeping me hydrated; up and over Gable, up and over Kirk Fell before arriving on Pillar having lost my earlier time advantage but now back on schedule exactly. 

Finishing

With ten minutes to spare we touched the bridge and celebrated with a socially distanced celebration and swim in the river.

Many thanks to my pacers and supporters for giving up their time and helping me achieve this goal - a great day out. It was a privilege to run with Helene and the girls. Who knows, perhaps they will remember this day with their dad and will be inspired themselves to give it a go when they come of age.

Stuart Stoddart (M50) - 06 August 2020

I’d first planned on attempting the JNC two years ago on my 50^th birthday but three weeks before the attempt I had to postpone due to getting injured.

Two years later and after a good training block that included numerous Ullswater Ways, a Ullswater Round and all the Lakeland 3000s I set a date to attempt the JNC once again. The lockdown certainly helped my preparation but I had to wait till Joss and Ian Charters would allow runners to attempt the challenge again as it had been forbidden during the lockdown period. Finally word came out that the challenge was allowed once more but no more than two pacers per leg, no hill support from friends and family and no welcome from Joss at the end. I was fine with all the requirements and totally understood why.

My good running mate Craig Smith had been thinking about his own JNC for a while now and he too decided that he would make an attempt on the same day as well; it meant that we could share pacers and road support.

The morning of the attempt arrived and as we met our pacers in Pooley Bridge we could feel the heat and humidity rising. Leg 1 is all fairly runnable and you could easily get carried away. Instead we ran at a steady pace but marched the steeper climbs. Our Support on Legs 1&2 were the Eden lads (Jack, Scott and Wayne) and they made sure we were eating and drinking. The underfoot conditions were wet and that coupled with the heat made it all bit energy sapping. By the time we had arrived at Stoney Cove Pike we were in thick mist which made the finding of Pike Howe a bit trickier but Jack had ran ahead a bit and found the line to it without us stressing too much. All that was left to do was pick our way down to the support vehicle at Kirkstone where Simon was waiting with fresh water.

After a couple of minutes of filling our bottles we were climbing Red Screes and the humidity was increasing. Craig only likes the heat if he’s on holiday and I could tell he was struggling a bit on the climb but hoped once we got up high the temperature might drop and he would pick up a bit.

On our way to Hart Crag, Craig decided the heat was too much and told me to carry on without him. I was absolutely gutted for him and tried to get him to change his mind but he was adamant he was going to stop at Dunmail. Scott, Jack and myself left Wayne with Craig and we ran on ahead and we were soon dropping into Dunmail. Craig arrived shortly after and wished me luck for the remainder of the day.

Leg 3 was all Craig’s pacers and I’m glad he chose Richard, James and Brian, for they made the crossing to Styhead Tarn very enjoyable. Ironically, we now had cloud cover but the humidity was still high. The ground on this leg was still very boggy in places and James kept overtaking me on his back side on the descents which amused me greatly. Brian was doing the Nav’ whilst Rich and James made sure I was eating and drinking. I was amazed when Brian revealed he was 65 – I hope I’m running as well at him at 65. Great End was eventually reached and after a horrible bit of descending I was at the Stretcher Box at Styhead.

By this point I was spent, and with only 4 hours left to finish I was beginning to doubt I would beat the 12 hour time limit. My pacers for Leg 4 really got the short straw. I doubt I would’ve finished but for Lee finding the best line on the front and Mark always just a step behind me who was constantly passing me water, sweets and endlessly encouraging me. I was still climbing well and once off Gable Lee made sure I ran all the flats and all the slopes. The clag had set in now and it even started to rain whilst climbing Pillar. My worst moment was on the climb to Seatallan, but again the lads somehow coaxed me up to the summit. Before long we were Descending Middle Fell and I was pleased to see Craig standing with Simon on the Bridge. Thanks to Lee and Mark’s great support we did Leg 4 in 3hr 27mins and touched Greendale Bridge 11 hours and 35 minutes after leaving Pooley Bridge.

It would not have been possible without the help of all my support crew who gave up their day so I could have mine. Thanks lads.

Tim Laney (M60) - 01 August 2020

Charlie (M70) & Emma (F65) Pascal - 01 August 2020

 

The idea of doing the Joss Naylor challenge was suggested by daughters Beth and Fi and their husbands Matt B and Matt M. We had heard of Joss but not his challenge; we had been interested in the Bob Graham round and thought these rounds were only for the young and ultra fit! We usually spend a few days walking in the lakes in the autumn and had done some reccying in November last year. Enjoying a bit of off road running on the Quantocks and Exmoor, and a marathon or 2 we tentatively agreed that it would be a way of celebrating our ruby wedding (no big parties allowed!). But training did not escalate at all as planned due to both getting various injuries and the Lake District being closed with Covid. We were seriously worried we would not complete it and disappoint the family who had organised it for us and travelled up to support, especially after Beth’s record breaking Bob Graham run.

So a week before, we booked a camp site, ordered some larger size trainers and thicker socks as advised, cooked quantities of Ashbourne gingerbreads (good for the stomach?) and seedy, nutty flapjacks. Matt B got the 22hr 50 min schedule, and the family decided who would support on each leg.

So Charlie and I, with Fi, Matt B and Dingo the Kelpie, who did the whole round, as navigators and pack horses, set off from Pooley bridge at 10pm Friday. It was raining before we left the holiday park but modified into wet cloud as we ascended. Dingo was excited by the wildlife she found, chasing a badger almost between our legs. Despite poor visibility and feeling a bit wet and cold the peaks came and went quickly (with Dingo’s help – she always seemed to know the right path), and we felt good after a scramble down to Kirkstone and hot coffee; pleased that we were ahead of the 22hr 50 schedule.

A change of pacers for leg 2 – Beth, Matt M, and Dibble the Cocker spaniel. It was lovely to see the dawn break and occasional gaps in the cloud to reveal Grisedale tarn and fells beyond.

Dunmail Raise for hot savoury drink and cheese sandwich, then quickly on with Fi, Matt B, Kirsty and Tryfan, another Kelpie. Undoubtedly what kept us going as the legs got longer and ascents higher was the constant badgering to eat and drink – flapjacks, gingerbreads, gels and fluid. It was gorgeous high on the mountains, cheerful encouraging chatter with family and friends, our legs holding up, and the dogs having the time of their lives!

Met the welcoming party at Styhead pass and on to the long last leg. The sun came out so we could doff our jackets for a while. We were maintaining a good pace; mostly walking but jogging the downhills, and knowing that we would make the finish!

We were thrilled to clock a time of 19hrs 50 mins, and to meet Joss Naylor at Greendale bridge; thank you for inspiring us to keep running and to raise money for our Minehead running club’s charity of the year ‘Charlie’s challenge”, to buy a special incubator for Taunton’s neonatal unit.

Andy Robinson (M65) - 31 July 2020

Roger Laycock (M60) - 27 July 2020

COVID-19 - 21 July 2020

Joss is happy to have the Crossing reinstated with a couple of additional requirements along with a reminder that Social Distancing guidelines are to be adhered to.

Contenders must still be accompanied; one pacer per leg is preferred and not more than two are permitted.

The tradition of previous completers meeting contenders to provide encouragement and to wish them well on their way to Greendale Bridge will remain suspended. Joss will not be at Greendale Bridge to congratulate completers.

Best wishes

Ian

COVID-19 - 25 June 2020

The easing of restrictions to come into effect in England on 4th July is both welcome and encouraging. The situation in Cumbria, as elsewhere, remains fragile and with this in mind Joss considers 4th of July to be too early to start accepting attempts. A further review on or by 25th July is planned and if the next few weeks bring nothing untoward then we hope we will be able to reinstate the Challenge. Any changes or updates will be posted here.

Jim Rogers (M55) & Neil Risdale (M60) - 06 July 2019

JNLC - 2020

In the current circumstances the Challenge is suspended 

with immediate effect and until further notice.

Chris Lumb (60) - 17 August 2019

A Grand Day Out

An attempt at my 3rd Joss Naylor Challenge crossing and I’d not learned my lesson! My 2nd crossing was completed with only 12 days to spare before my 60th birthday. This one, less than a month before my 65th. And on my eldest daughter’s due date for our second grandchild……a few days before my son (and leg 3/4 support) was heading back to China ….. and a forecast of stormy weather with lightning….so no pressure!

Jim very kindly organised my support team of him, Daz and Richard for the first couple of legs. Jim also got me out on my longest training run for the JNC - a 5.5hr recce of the 1st leg to Thornthwaite Beacon and back via Place Fell. Mmmh - a distinct feeling of being unprepared!

Colin very kindly agreed to support on the last 2 legs from Dunmail Raise. My son, Jono, also took no persuasion to join us for support from Dunmail.

Our little WhatsApp group correspondence rapidly filled with updated weather forecasts, from our own favourite sources. As the Saturday got closer, the Mountain Weather Information Service (my favourite) gave us the following:

Wind SW 20-30mph (gusting up to 40mph)
Showers from the W, some heavy and becoming frequent - patches of sun mainly E
Hill fog am but cloud base at or above tops in pm
Temp 8-10C but will feel like 4-5C

NO lightning - we’re on!

Another, in the dark start - but this time, no fumbling around to feed money or credit cards into the LDNP car park by the river - no car park, washed away in Storm Desmond - no Leigh Warburton, appearing out of the dark, having driven up from Preston, unannounced but most welcome, to support me on a previous JNC. Dropped off by Viv, we made a spot on time start from the bridge. A brief and luxurious visit to Park Foot loos and we were onto a very wet underfoot fell - a good decision to wear my Sealskin socks. Good progress made along the ridge, into a fresh headwind or sidewind, with only one, heavy, shower. I’d treated myself to 2 new Harvey 1:25,000 maps of the route and, whilst the wind didn’t seem to trouble the running, it certainly caused me problems when re-folding and re-stuffing the map into its waterproof bag - luckily I managed to hang on to it. In fact, Leg 1 seemed to fly along, a combination of great support and a very engaging tutorial in pharmacology by Jim - who shared the research on heart disease that he’d been doing as part of his continuous professional disease. Fascinating….and then we were at Kirkstone Pass, via a neat little line below Raven Crag.

A quick mouthful of food, a big thanks to Daz and Viv, and Jim and I were off. A more leisurely scramble up Red Screes than my usual Sunday morning outing and sub-20 minute ascents. Couldn’t find a decent trod below Dove Crag but good lines and running up Hart Crag and Fairfield. A steady climb up Seat Sandal and a careful, good descent to Dunmail Raise. Very nice to see Rainer Burchett here, a veteran of 2 JNC crossings I think, kindly come to offer his support to us. Big mistake here in not taking, or being able to take, on board more food - only managed a cuppa and a piece of flapjack. Great to see Richard, Colin and Jono waiting for me.

Steel Fell taken gently - probably the first time Steel Fell and gently have appeared together in the same sentence - anyway Colin and I lagged well behind Richard and Jono as they chatted away, introducing themselves. Felt strange, in addition to tired, to then not to navigate to Calf Crag, which has been my standard BG support leg. Good lines up to High Raise and Rossett Pike. Bowfell ascent went well, claggy on top and rocks wet and slippy but a very familiar route and always a very welcome waymark. Esk Pike visited and followed the path off it, not risking trying to find Yiannis Tridimas’ shortcut. Found the good route up Great End in the clag but the descent was trickier. Very wet and slippy and difficult to pick up the cairns and faint, broken trod. Care definitely the order of the descent. And we didn’t inadvertently end up on the Corridor Route as we did on my previous crossing. All in all, very pleased. At Styhead, we said thanks and goodbye to Richard, who left us to run down to a lift waiting at Seathwaite.

Colin, Jono and I then started the long haul up Great Gable. It was then that my inability to take on board food really started to take effect. The carefully created tuna sandwiches, on M&S soft brown malted loaf, with yoghurt, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce and pepper, which have fuelled me and companions on manly longer runs, failed me. So were my favourite M&S cheese and onion rolls, not a favourite this day. Jono doing his best to feed me jelly babies and mixed nuts, me quietly stuffing them into a jacket pocket (and which almost ended up in the washing machine that night). So I focussed on deep breathing, to keep my legs working aerobically, with regular stops to take 3, always 3, a strange but effective habit of mine, swigs of water. My legs kept working, albeit slowly, and I kept hydrated, so no complaints. Great Gable seemed higher than last time I climbed it, though. And so did Kirk Fell. Descents of both were taken carefully, not least to avoid filling shoes with stones from the screes, successfully accomplished.

The wind was more noticeable on the climb up Pillar, in some places sheltered, others a strong crosswind. Where the path was wide enough, Colin and Jono, both taller and broader than me, did their best to provide some shelter for me from the wind. Scoat Fell in the clag but a good view of Steeple as we ran over to it. Haycock seemed to take a long time to reach and to climb and, along with Pillar, good summits to get under the belt. We had a good bearing and route-finding off Haycock and picked up the good path to Seatallan. Seatallan……a hard climb on the Wasdale and an even harder climb on tired legs on the JNC. More deep breathing and stops for 3 swigs of water, up and up on the grassy steps. Great relief on making the trig point - and on the compass bearing that ensured we made the correct choice of several trods off the summit. Middlefell at last. Slow up and slow down, legs on their last, to finish rather than against the clock. Great to see Viv waiting for us, and joining us on Greendale Bridge. Well knackered. Great support from Colin and Jono, neither of who had been doing lots of training beforehand, and most if not all of the summits were firsts for Jono - so well done and thanks to both. No Joss to meet us this time, he was tied up elsewhere and had sent his best wishes and apologies. Another very memorable crossing, with great friends and family, and a big thanks again to Joss (and Colin) for creating the Challenge.

Now to get some proper training in - to attempt a 4th crossing, well before I’m 70, in a faster time if I can - and to help me do that, sort out my eating on longer runs.

Time allowed : M60-65 18hrs (15hr schedule). Time taken: 14hrs 20min

With special thanks to:

Viv Lumb for providing vehicle, catering and morale support at Kirkstone Pass, Dunmail Raise and Greendale Bridge - and for stress caused by planning the crossing on our daughter’s due date.

Daz Moore (main) & Jim Louden for support on Leg 1 Pooley Bridge to Kirkstone Pass

Jim Louden for support on Leg 2: Kirkstone Pass to Dunmail Raise

Richard Holliday, Colin Dulson & Jono Lumb for support on Leg 3: Dunmail Raise to Styhead

Colin Dulson & Jono Lumb for support on Leg 4: Styhead to Greendale

Ian Charters, Peter Ferris-Naylor & Rainer Burchett for their very appreciated JNC support.

Colin, Rob Blyth, Jim & Jono for their always fun company and encouragement on the fells (and mountains in China, Jono) in training for this and enjoying life in general.

Julian Lailey (M70) - 15 August 19

LEG 1 Set off from Pooley Bridge an hour before midnight in decent weather and good visibility. Even the full moon made a brief appearance above Loadpot. But that changed dramatically by Raven Howe and for the rest of the leg the rain, wind and clag slowed the pace. But excellent navigation and support from Dick and Dave meant I was only 21 minutes down on my schedule by Kirkstone.

LEG 2 The rain and wind never let up on this leg and my headtorch packing in just after Red Screes didn’t help. Decided not to stop to replace as dawn wasn’t far away and keeping just one step behind Chris meant we didn’t drop our rhythm A couple of minor navigational errors and the tough conditions meant we arrived at Dunmail only 30 minutes down on schedule. In the circumstances, very promising as the forecast was for better weather to come and my 20 hour schedule meant I still had a 3 ½ hour buffer.

LEG 3 Relief as the rain began to ease as we climbed up Steel Fell and by the ascent to High Raise it had stopped. We had our first glimpse blue sky and conditions improved by the minute. From the top of High Raise to Greendale conditions became nigh perfect, with only a hairy moment on Rossett Pike, when a sudden gale nearly blew us away, and a difficult traverse on wet rocks over to Bowfell to slow us down. We rapidly ate into the time deficit and by Sty Head we were only 8 minutes of schedule. Now we could relax, confident of a successful finish.

LEG 4 Spirits high, fortified by a feast brought up from Wasdale Head by our supporters, we bounced up Great Gable in glorious sunshine. This leg was a dream and the clear views across Lakeland we magical. The contrast to legs 1 and 2 couldn’t have been more dramatic and we picked up time on each summit. We even had time to take a break on Haycock, admiring the sight of the Isle of Man basking in bright sunshine. Climbing up Seatallan was always going to be tough but that came and went quickly enough and we could enjoy the run through Middle Fell and down to Greendale Bridge. The finishing time was 18 hrs 55 mins, over an hour ahead of schedule and over 5 hours ahead of the time allowance.

My heartfelt thanks go to the most wonderful and accomplished team of navigators and supporters anyone could wish for: Mike, Dick, Dave, Chris, Iain, Mark, Andy, Mary, Gavin, Philip, Jonny, Serena and Kezi – my successful completion was as much their triumph as mine. A big thank you to my sponsors, whose generosity will be greatly appreciated not only by me but especially by the Macmillan Cancer Nurses and the Orienteering Foundation. And, of course, a big thanks to the great man Joss, who despite recovering from pneumonia was there at the finish.

Julian Lailey (M70)

Mary Ockenden (W60) & Gavin Smith (M60) - 05 August 19

Mary Ockenden

In the fell running and orienteering community, everyone knows exactly how old you are, so an approaching milestone birthday cannot be quietly ignored. So, after being inspired by supporting Nick Hewitt with his 4^th (!) JNLC success in October 2018, I considered the possibility of making my own attempt to mark my 60^th birthday. Hence, after months of preparation, including some trail racing in France and plenty more time out on the fells, I decided to go for it. As my husband, Gavin Smith, had come with me on all the route checking and training he decided he would also like to make his own attempt. He proposed that we do it together. Although initially I had reservations, I did finally agree, based on our very similar times on races up to 6 hours long or days on the fells up to 12 hours. But neither of us knew how we would be after nearly 18 hours. We chose the date: Monday 5^th August 2019 – a weekday, which made organising a support team more restrictive, but the only date when all three of our children (also keen runners and orienteers) would be available to support.

The birthday came and then before we knew it we were standing on Pooley Bridge in the dark at 4am with Chris Roberts.

Gavin, Chris and Mary on Pooley Bridge (photo: John Ockenden)

It wasn't actually raining when we set out but it wasn't far off and within an hour we were all back in rain jackets and into the cloud. After a weekend of thunderstorms and very heavy downpours, the ground was very soggy. I was very grateful for waterproof socks, which definitely kept out the worst of the bogs but did not stop the rain running down from the top! We squished our way steadily up the ridge, trying to eat and drink little and often. According to Chris there was a tent near the top of High Street, but I didn't see anything in the cloud and rain.

Descending from High Street in the cloud (photo: Gavin Smith)

Somewhere on the way down to Kirkstone Pass it stopped raining, but we didn't drop out of the cloud until we got right to the pass. That didn't give the support team much warning of our arrival, but fortunately they were brilliantly prepared with hot tea and porridge. I didn't really know what I would feel like eating at the end of each leg, but I found the warm food and drink very easy on the stomach. Thanks John, Tom, Helen, Julian and Nick for your welcome at Kirkstone.

After a short break and a restock of water and food to munch on, we were off again, this time with Julian Lailey. As we climbed Red Screes, the cloud began to break up a bit and we got a few clear patches down to the pass where we could still see the support vehicles. The weather steadily improved during this leg, and although the tops were still in cloud, we had some wonderful views down the valleys, with a bank of threatening cloud above. The support team at Dunmail Raise could see us on the skyline, and once again they had tea brewing. Smoothie, tea, cheesy bean slice, rice pudding and tinned peaches this time. In retrospect, maybe this was too much, as my stomach was a bit uncomfortable on the following leg. Thanks, John, Helen, Annie, Abi, Ian and Mike for food, drink and chairs at Dunmail!

Still on our schedule, we started the pull up Steel Fell, led by our daughter Helen and with Mike Johnson accompanying to take over on Leg 4. We still hadn't seen a single person apart from the support team. With the weather still brightening, we had our first glimpses of the sun, and a beautiful view up to High Raise. The first people we met were at the top of Far Easedale, at about midday. The climb up Birks Gill and the tussocks near the top of High Raise felt harder than usual, as legs were beginning to feel the effort. With a slightly uncomfortable stomach I found it more difficult to eat, but managed to nibble on Hula Hoops, nuts and dried apricots. I love the climb up Bow Fell, especially when you get the line just right and pop out on the plateau just below the summit.

Nearing the summit of Bow Fell (photo: Mike Johnson)

The tops were all in cloud again by this time, but views below the cloud base were beautiful. With some trepidation I knew we were approaching the steep and rocky descent off Great End, my least favourite section of the whole route. Luckily, the rock was almost dry and after the most rocky steep part in the cloud, we were met with a fantastic view all the way down to Sty Head Pass, where we could see our son John, daughter Annie and her friend Abi already waiting for us. For them, watching, it must have seemed like a slow descent (it was, but I had allowed for that in the schedule). Hot, sweet coffee with more peaches and rice pudding set me up for Leg 4. Thanks John, Annie and Abi for carrying an assortment of goodies up to Sty Head (and then carrying all the things we didn't want back down again!). It was great to have a choice, because I found that some foods, that had been great during previous runs, I couldn't face on the day and some things that I hadn't asked for but they had brought anyway were just right!

Mike led us ably on Leg 4. Helen was having such a nice time she decided to carry on with us too, which was particularly useful in case Gavin and I were moving at different speeds (but in fact we were still very similar). John joined us for Great Gable and Kirk Fell before descending to move the car to Greendale. After Sty Head we were back into the cloud again, and didn't see any more clear summits. Fortunately, the forecast possible thunderstorms did not materialise. Our schedule allowed for slow and cautious descents off Great Gable and Kirk Fell, including the impressive red gully.

Descending from Kirk Fell (photo: Mike Johnson)

The SW wind was quite strong on Pillar, but perhaps meant that Steeple was not as windy as it can be. After Steeple, and the end of the rocky terrain, I began to believe that we could actually complete the route in time. Middle Fell has always been one of my favourite fells: not too big for horrible weather days, generally quiet and great views in good weather. As a child. growing up in Gosforth, I often climbed it with my parents. Subsequently, Gavin and I introduced our own children to it when they were younger. But I have never been as happy to reach the summit as I was on this challenge! It was great to be met near the summit by Abi. John also ran half way up to meet us and then skipped back down to get the tea brewing! We made it to Greendale Bridge in 17 hours 33. Unfortunately Joss was ill, so it was down to Ian Roberts to perform the 'meet and greet'. A brilliant surprise was that my sister Jane and her husband David Hewitson (who live locally) had turned up at Greendale on a whim, not knowing anything about our progress other than our scheduled arrival time, but obviously more confident than me that we would finish!

What a fantastic day! My overwhelming memory is the fantastic support and enthusiasm of all those involved. What can be better than a day in the hills surrounded by family and friends. Thank you to all of you. Thanks also to all who have donated to my chosen charity, The Alzheimer's Society, for which I have raised more than £400 so far.

Support:

Driving: John Ockenden

Leg 1: Chris Roberts, Gavin Smith

Leg 2: Julian Lailey, Gavin Smith

Leg 3: Helen Ockenden, Mike Johnson, Gavin Smith

Leg 4: Mike Johnson, Helen Ockenden, John Ockenden (to Black Sail Pass), Gavin Smith

Food supplies, welcomes and enthusiasm: Annie Ockenden, Abi Plowman, Tom Matthew, Nick Hewitt, Ian Roberts

Gavin Smith

My wife Mary Ockenden and I attempted the JNLC on 5 August 2019. We had run or walked each leg multiple times in the preceding weeks and we devised a bespoke schedule of 17h30 based on our recces. We felt fit and confident that (given reasonable weather) we could complete the whole route, but we were unsure of how much we might slow down towards the end.

We set off from Pooley Bridge with Chris in the dark at 04:02. It soon started raining and then we were in fog and cloud all the way until we dropped into Kirkstone Pass. We were a few minutes behind our schedule here. The support team was ready with hot drinks, lots of food and great encouragement. Julian then led us briskly through Leg 2 and by shaving a few minutes from the two breaks at the road crossings we were back on schedule leaving Dunmail Raise.

Leg 3 was the nicest part of the day, with views forward to Bow Fell, Esk Pike and the waiting Leg 4 peaks, all with their tops in cloud. Helen led us brilliantly through this leg keeping us unerringly close to our schedule. Mike joined us for the whole of this leg too. We had been the only people out on our route all morning, and we saw the first others about noon at the top of Far Easedale.

Climbing Esk Pike (photo Mike Johnson)

The descent from Great End to Sty Head was where I felt most tired, but more food and drink at Sty Head revitalised me.

During our recces we had tried out various types of food to eat on the move and decided on our favourites. However on the day I found most of it unpalatable and so drank well but ate little while moving. I compensated with lots of food at the stops. Good for me and easy to consume were tea and doughnuts, rice pudding, tinned peaches, and Asda smoothies. The support team did a fantastic job having everything ready and in the right places at the right time.

Helen, Abi, Annie, Mike, Mary and Gavin (photo John Ockenden)

For Leg 4, Mike led the way. Helen stayed with us to the end, and John managed to fit in Great Gable and Kirk Fell before dropping down from Black Sail to meet Annie and Abi and take his car to Greendale. All the Leg 4 tops were in the cloud but we continued to make good progress and it was great to reach Middle Fell with 62 minutes in hand for our final descent. We finished in 17h33, remarkably close to our schedule.

We saw the fabulous views during our recces rather than the run itself, but that’s what we’re used to on the fells. It was hard, but it wouldn’t be a worthwhile challenge if it wasn’t hard.

My thanks to all our pacers and supporters for making possible a great day out on the fells, to Joss for inventing the challenge, and to Mary for first proposing that we attempt it. My chosen charity is Wasdale Mountain Rescue.

Pacers

Leg 1 – Chris Roberts (Black Combe/SROC)
Leg 2 – Julian Lailey (SROC)

Leg 3 – Helen Ockenden (SROC/CUOC) & Mike

Leg 4 – Mike Johnson (Bowland/SROC) & Helen
Head of Logistics – John Ockenden (Bowland/SROC/Drongo)

Support team – Annie Ockenden, Abi Plowman, Nick Hewitt, Tom Matthew, Ian Roberts

Nick Pope (M60) - 13 July 19

Nick Combes (M60) - 29 June 19

2 a.m. and a beautiful start on Pooley Bridge. A mild night and, despite the lack of sleep that evening courtesy of some over-enthusiastic camping neighbours at Park Foot, we were ready to go. John Bamford & Nick Coombes (both M60) were supported in their attempts by Nikki Carr and Steve Baldwin, all members of Scarborough Athletic Club. Nerves jangled at the off and it was good to get going.

The steady pull up to Arthur’s Pike saw us arrive not just on time, but a minute to the good. Excellent! Then off we trotted confidently, in the darkness, on a path too far to the right. A few minutes later we realised the mistake as it fell away off the hill and already a twinge of panic kicked in. We plodded left up the hill and across tussocky awkward slopes to find the correct trail, but time had already slipped. Loadpot - 8 minutes adrift. The pairings gradually split up – by prior agreement we’d said each to their own pace – and Nick and Steve pulled ahead of John & Nikki. An unexpected headwind made us work a bit harder but as the sun came up it eventually eased.

Gradually the deficit was eroded, by a couple of minutes each leg, and by Stony Cove Pike Nick and Steve were back on track, with John & Nikki moving well but still a little down. The hurried scoot down from Stony Cove via Pike Howe saw us arrive at Kirkstone with a few minutes in the bank – a really good feeling.

Our plan had been to follow the 18hr schedule from the website, but only take 10 minutes at each checkpoint, to give us a little leeway. As leg 2 unfolded it was pleasing to see the gain increase bit by bit. The weather was more than kind: sunny with cloud to keep it that little bit cooler, winds dropped to a gentle breeze, perfect visibility and dry underfoot. We arrived at Dunmail 17 minutes up and feeling hopeful. Steve passed the pack onto Danny Walls for legs 3 & 4. By this point John and Nikki were still going well but a bit behind schedule overall. Nikki handed over the support role to Ricky Parrish, a last-minute stand-in following illness on the Scarborough team. He’d just been doing a support leg on the BG!

Dumail Raise - Nick in yellow

Nick never saw Steel Fell – he stared at his toes the whole way up, Danny calling the shots on pace. Amazingly, and with constant feeding and encouragement from Danny, the hills kept getting climbed and we continued to gain on the clock. Styhead – 37 minutes up! Danny felt confident; Nick still wasn’t sure. Not a single chicken was counted. 3 more SAC team members joined us for Leg 4 – Jane Hamp, Julie Clayton (freshly arrived from Cyprus!) and Alan Whelan. John made the decision to call it a day on arrival at Styhead, and he and Ricky headed off with the rest of the support crew (Chris Wood & Dave Eatherington) down to Wasdale for a well-deserved rest and a pint or two.

Great Gable, Kirk Fell & Pillar came and went and the clock showed a 47 minute lead on the schedule. Finally it was time to start believing! Seatallan provided a sting in the tail but time was securely on our side. Getting to the top of Middle Fell at 18.35 was such a brilliant feeling of relief! We enjoyed the luxury of a walk down off the fell. Looking for figures on the bridge we could see no-one, and I prepared for arriving without the thrill of meeting Joss. Down through the ferns we ran in the last few hundred metres, and as we rounded the cottages to reach Greendale Bridge an unmistakable figure stood before us. Joss was there after all – we just hadn’t been able to see him. What a treat; what a brilliant end to a magnificent day. 17 hours and 12 minutes. Sore feet and battered legs – who cared. Great friends and memories to treasure, and some funds raised for Mountain Rescue. A grand day – aye – as someone might say.

Greendale Bridge