Introduction

The Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge route leaves Pooley Bridge to traverse 30 summits over a distance of 48 miles and climbs 16,000 feet (77km, 4877m).

The inaugural run from Pooley Bridge to Wasdale was made by Joss Naylor in 1990, at the age of 54; in very bad weather with heavy rain and a strong SW wind Joss completed the run to Greendale Bridge in 11 hours and 30 minutes.

Chris Brasher offered engraved pewter tankards to the first 20 runners to do so with the proviso that they raised at least £100 for a charity of their own choice. In January 1997, with 17 tankards already awarded, Chris extended his sponsorship. In 2001, with 33 tankards awarded, Joss secured on-going sponsorship for the tankards.

The challenge is offered to fell runners over the age of 50 to complete the run in set times according to their age group. The challenge is intended to be a "supported run" for individuals - each contender is to be accompanied on every leg for safety reasons and unaccompanied attempts will not be recognised. There is more information on the Challenge Details page below.

If you are interested, please have a look at the Challenge Details, download a schedule or contact me using the email address on the Challenge Details page.

Friday, 10 December 2021

Mark Domaille (M60) - 26 June 2021

 This attempt came about after a failed Bob Graham attempt in 2020 (26:40 at age 59). My son, George and I ran the first three legs of the BGR together; he went on to complete it in just under 23 hours and I struggled around the last two legs.

George then offered to support me on the JNC so we spent the Spring recceing the route and made the attempt on June 26th. George supported me for the whole round and we also had Anna on leg 2 and Wander on leg 4.

We had a lot of the same BGR support group helping us, led by Moira and Julie.


We set off at 3.00 in the morning and were targeting a 16:30 time. Visibility on the top of Arthurs Pike was poor, as it was for most of the run, until we got to Pillar when it got warm and sunny. We got to Arthurs Pike a bit ahead of schedule but then threw 20 minutes away by getting lost on the top and running back towards Pooley Bridge for ten minutes-oops! And I was responsible for the navigation at this point.


We didn’t panic and just got on with it slowly chipping away at our target times arriving, at Kirkstone Pass ten minutes behind schedule. Leg 2 passed by uneventfully and we reached Dunmail Raise five minutes behind schedule.


As always Steel Fell was tough as was the trudge up to High Raise, but we were feeling good and chipping away at our target times and were 5 minutes up when we got to Rossett Pike. It was good to be on old BGR territory and we made good progress to Great End—we got a bit lost on the tough descent down to Sty Head but made it fifteen minutes up on schedule.


The going was getting tougher as tiredness set in but we kept going at a pace that was ahead of schedule. The sun came out on Pillar and we were able to remove some clothing and enjoy the sunshine. We continued to make steady progress and got to Middle Fell in 15:41. At this point we realized there was a chance of going sub 16 hours if we were able to seriously pick up the pace. Somehow, I managed to descend much more rapidly than I had been doing and we made it with 1 minute to spare.


Joss was at the finish which was absolutely fantastic; it was wonderful to spend time talking to a real legend. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge—much more sensible at my age than the BGR. But the next challenge is the Paddy Buckley in 2022—target time will probably be 27 hours.


Many thanks to the fantastic support crew and George for being prepared to do the whole thing at an old man’s pace!

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