Mike Hitchmough (M55) - 03 September 2022

Whilst talking to Joss at this year’s Buttermere Horseshoe, I took the opportunity to ask him if he had any tips for completing his challenge. “Aye lad,” he replied, “lengthen yer stride.”

So with those words of wisdom ringing in my ears, I set a date for early September. Two days before my attempt, I almost called it off due to a forecast of rain, clag and high winds. Delaying it wouldn’t guarantee any better conditions and would only reduce the window for daylight, so I decided to go for it and just deal as best I could with the conditions on the day. As it turned out, the weather (for once) was kind to us.

Leg 1. Pacer Dan Miller. I’d been warned of the price you pay later on for going off too fast on the ‘runnable’ Leg 1. I was even told of some taking a casual 3hrs to get to Kirkstone and then go on to finish sub-12hrs. This advice seemed to occupy my every thought and stride as we set off at 6am in the half-light climbing through the caravan site and on to the fells. The self-restraint didn’t last long however as I arrived at Arthur’s Pike 4mins ahead of schedule! The pace felt fine and with a combination of fast hiking and running to conserve energy and we made good progress across the summits that came thick and fast, spooking a few early–rising wild campers along the way. Leaving Kidsty Pike, we got carried away contouring around the top of the valley and had to quickly alter our course to take in Rampsgill Head! At the final summit Pike Howe, whilst Dan was struggling to record the split with a 3H pencil on soggy paper, I pressed on and took my preferred line descending diagonally off St. Raven’s Edge arriving at Kirkstone a good minute or so ahead of Dan who kept high taking the path along the ridge. It’s a great tradition for previous completers to meet contenders on route and it was lovely to see Rainer Burchett at Kirkstone – I recognised him from a friend’s attempt a few years ago.

Leg 2. Pacer Dan Miller. Dan is young and strong and was therefore good for two solo legs. He pulled me up Red Screes and led the way up Bakestones Moss by keeping to the path. I tried to cut the corner but it was a bad call across the heavy-going open fell. Pulling me back in to line, he got me over to Fairfield with relative ease. Once on the BG route beyond Fairfield, I felt on familiar ground but standing at the foot of Seat Sandal in daylight (normally it’s the middle of the night), I was struck by how big it appeared. I always enjoy the descent off Seat Sandal (maybe it’s the thought of tea with sugar at Dunmail) and once we’d hit the summit Dan let me go, arriving just ahead of schedule.

Leg 3. Pacers. Tash Fellowes, Maria Cook, Chris Usher. I always knew Leg 3 was going to be the ‘make or break’ leg and so it was a big help that all of my pacers were either BG or Joss completers (or both). Sure enough it wasn’t long before I had my first bad patch towards the top of Steel Fell with the second hitting me on the slog up to High Raise. Maybe I’d overdone in on Legs 1 & 2 – who knows? I dug deep and knew, through my training I that I could get through these low points if I just took it easy for a moment, collected my thoughts, took on food drink (that flat Coke was amazing Tash) and listened to the warm words of encouragement from my pacers. On both occasions, my pacers read the signs and without asking, Maria would take my pack, Chris would talk me round and with Tash leading the way with some great lines up Bowfell and off Great End (the way only an Achille Ratti runner can), I felt good again and we were back on it.

Leg 4. Pacers. Guy Illingworth, Bill Beckett.

I knew at Sty Head that we’d lost time on Leg 3 and a sub-12hr finish was unlikely but I felt OK and was determined to give it my all. The climb up Great Gable was pretty comfortable and we made good time although the descent down the slippery scree was slower than I’d hoped. Guy was solid upfront navigating and Bill kept close by, merrily cajoling me along (as only Bill can) whilst feeding me sweets. We made good progress over the rest of the leg, even making up a small amount of time. We took the more runnable line off Haycock, avoiding the scree and boulders to the south with a good run across Pot of Ashness. On the tough climb up Seatallan I started to wonder if Joss would be at Greendale and began to worry that my wife - waiting at the bridge and not being the fell running type – might casually ask him what he was doing and if he was from round here? As we tipped over the 12-hr mark on the final climb up Middle Fell, I told Guy that on my last recce I’d done the final descent in 17mins. “Ah not today Mike” he responded. All three of us hammered it down the twisting rocky path, through the bracken and touched the bridge just 16mins later in a time of 12hr 25min.

Sadly, Joss wasn’t feeling up to it but at least I didn’t have to make any awkward apologies on my wife’s behalf! A big thanks to all my support crew, Dave Troman of Love to Run Coaching and of course, my wife.

Jim Thompson (M55) - 03 September 2022

So, in 2020 I thought I am 52, running well and the Joss Naylor challenge in under 12 hrs seems very feasible! Then came Covid and scuppered that.

I thought I would try again in 2021 then Covid and lockdowns continued so going to have to wait another year.

So come 2022, helping on 2 BGR’s and being sensible for probably the first time in my life I thought wait till your 55 in July and have the luxury of 15hrs to complete just in case you cannot get under 12hrs!!!

Training started recceing routes, helping on 2 successful BGR’s and I was feeling good – starting to think I could outdo Keith Woods time of just under 11hrs 30mins.

I had also run Offa’s dyke in a week with Gemma, so my stamina was good.

September the 3^rd was to be the day and with a great support team around me from Saltwell Harriers I was set to go. Starting time of 5:30 and tried not to look at the weather reports too much in the week leading up to it, but it was forecast for rain, low cloud and windy – great!

I started leg 1 with Seb and Kev and was seen off by my road crew, Gemma and a couple of the guys and the weather could not have been better. No visibility issues and had a nice run in the early morning warmth with daylight coming just before Arthurs Pike. The rest of the leg was great and got to Kirkstone about 20 mins down on schedule.

The support crew were there with everything in hand, and it was a pleasure to be met by Rainer Burchett – a JNC ambassador who offered wise words about ‘just enjoying the day’.

Full of porridge and tea, clean top and off up Red Screes with Fred, Simon and Davey and started feeling tired, cramping so badly at times I felt like I had been shot by a sniper! Got through the leg with no nav issues and down to Dunmail a few more minutes down on schedule but ok.

Onto leg 3 and struggling to eat but set off up Steel Fell with Keith, Rob and Andy and still feeling tired. I was having doubts now about completing but thoughts of Sarah Garrett and the struggles she had with cancer and knew I had to press on – I certainly couldn’t give up knowing what she went through!

Leg 3 is the leg I knew least well but I knew I could rely on Keith Woods navigation skills but standing at Calf Crag Andy asked why it wasn’t on the pace card – because it’s not part of the JNC was my reply – Keith’s face was a picture and my excuse for not beating his time was set in stone! The rest of the leg was tough - I continued cramping up, struggled to eat and rain and low cloud came in before High raise until after Bow Fell so there were hard trudges up those summits – I wasn’t in a happy place! We found the good line off Great end though, so I was glad to get down to Sty head about an hour down but ready for the last leg.

Fed watered and a new top on and I set off up Gable with Paul, Gemma, and Peter. Still feeling tired but knowing I was on the last leg gave me a great buzz and my support crew certainly kept me eating and talking and we started steadily ticking off the tops. Even a heavy rain shower on Pillar didn’t dampen my spirits and we were soon looking at the looming lump of Seatallan and the last top of Middle Fell just behind it.

We all trooped up to that last summit, rain jacket off, Saltwell vest on and the adrenaline kicked in and as I followed Paul down towards Greendale bridge I could see and hear the cheers of my support crew, some of their wives and kids waiting for me.

13hrs 26 mins was my finishing time and I have to say it was tough. Anyone who can do sub 12hrs for that challenge gets a lot of respect from me and thanks to Joss for setting such a great challenge – it was indeed a grand day out!

Thanks again to all of my supporters and well-wishers and Sarah – I couldn’t have done it without you all!

Even Keith Woods sabotage plan didn’t stop me finishing 😊

Jim Thompson

Mike Warwick (M70 Repeat) - 25 August 2022

The dream of making a crossing to celebrate my 70th birthday started years earlier when I supported Rainer on his magnificent crossing for his 70th in a then-record time. Preparations went well except for the increasingly frequent episodes of atrial fibrillation which drastically slow me down on climbs.

The team met up at the Brackenrigg Inn the night before, beer was restricted to a pint despite it being my actual birthday and on leaving we were treated to the most beautiful sunset.

That had to be a really good omen.

A 5 ‘o’clock start at Pooley Bridge was ideal with the first glimmer of dawn. We met up with Craig who is the most brilliant navigator, he knows every line and keeps grass underfoot wherever possible. My daughter Asha running in the Lakeland fells for the first time was treated to glorious views as morning broke. Dry and well trod paths sped us to the first 12 summits and then a more tricky but direct line down to Kirkstone.

A brief stop for cereal and Craig was leading off on leg 2. I tried to keep my pace steady and easy to ward off the onset of AF. By Dunmail we were slightly up on my 16 hour schedule but my navigator planned for the last 2 legs had to pull out that morning due to a knee injury. My son Ben was unfazed and with the help of a GPX file on memory map expertly navigated the complicated route including the tricky ascent of Bowfell and the descent off Great End. At Sty Head there was a big reception including Rainer who has been hosting the family and friends and old friend Barry who was fresh from winning the M80 European championships triathalon.

Still on schedule the day seemed to be going so well but the last leg proved to be a shocker. My pace ascending dropped dramatically as I had gone into AF, this in itself was neither surprising or to troublesome as I could still run comfortably downhill. The ascent of Seatallan was very slow but the promise of nearly finishing meant our spirits were high. Parminder had been an excellent stand in navigator using the GPX route but unfortunately it led us into a ghastly descent from Middle Fell. Instead of using the path and track that deviates a bit west it took us on a direct line down the worst rock, scree and bracken I have ever encountered. I fell dozens of time becoming bloodied and bruised and it took an age. What should have been a 20 minute descent took 1& 1/4 hours. Thankfully everybody got down safely in the dark and we celebrated at the finish with family and friends. 17 hours 10 minutes was a good time and overall it had been a fantastic day.

Attempting a Joss Naylor crossing requires many months of training and beware of thinking gentle road and grassy ascents prepare you well for the rocky and steep rigours of The Lakeland fells.

Support from family and friends is vital. It may be tougher for the family doing all the support than it is for the runner. I think it requires some dedicated but self centred behaviour to succeed. Hopefully it will inspire others. My grandchildren certainly seemed proud. 

Rick Ansell (M60) - 30 July 2022

 A WET ONE

The forecast was for occasional drizzle and low cloud gradually clearing. The forecast was wrong. The postcast (which obviously was right) was 14 hours of rain.

At 01.50 Pooley Bridge was quiet as the four of us waited on the bridge for the clock to tick round, one of us rather nervously. At 02.00 we padded off down the track beside the river. Patrick and Alex had recced the way out through the camp site and no time was lost here. I think recceing is cheating and these things should always be done on sight or just using existent knowledge but trying to weave a way between people’s tents in the dark is tricky. On Arthur’s Seat the lights of the farms beside Ullswater twinkled up at us but by Loadpot we were in the cloud and starting to get wet. When we got to High Raise the wind was up and conditions were becoming distinctly unpleasant. The mist was definitely a hard drizzle. Alex, Patrick’s brother-in-law is a resident of Montana and more used to running on the trails around the hills there. This was a fairly precipitous introduction to real fell running. Max stuck close and handed the bottle and jelly babies as his father demanded. The rain meant I had to remove my glasses. Removing the glasses meant I couldn’t read the map so the main burden of navigation fell on Patrick who did sterling work. On High Street Alex announced that he was cold and he did seem to be close to hypothermia. We crammed a hat on him and jelly babies in him and hurried on to Threshthwiate Mouth where there was respite from the wind and he could pull on more clothes. The dawn came reluctantly as though the day had seen the weather and wanted to stay in bed.

By Stony Cove the torches were ineffectual and we romped down the wall and completely missed the turn to Pike Howe. Patrick caught the error 500m further on as we arrived at St Raven’s Crag. Back we went. 20 mins lost to the schedule. Annoyed, I made up quite a few of these descending to Kirkstone. The car park seemed deserted, just a couple of camper vans loomed in the mist. Panic. And then Scott saw us and leapt out of a car we hadn’t seen in the fog. Suddenly the place came alive. Coffee was poured, potatoes offered, bottles filled, Jaffa cakes grabbed and we were on our way with another five minutes saved. The new team included Scott Collier and Kevin Harding. With them to navigate there was no point in me even carrying a map. Paul acted as mule and handed drinks and food when required. The pace was a little slower than on the Hodgson Relay but by Fairfield we had pulled back more time and on Seat Sandall the rain seemed to ease off. We found the BG trod and soon we could see the cars at Dunmail and there was Julie out to meet and greet. On runs like this when there are times you feel a little fragile it is amazing what a boost a friendly face can make and a quiet: “You seem to be going really well” She surveyed the team: Scott, Simon Barnett, Ned Needham and Paul Addison. “You’ve got a crack team here” she said. Between them they had decades of hill days and, as Paul discovered, Simon is a secret weapon as he knows every blade of grass between Dunmail and Sty Head.

On the long stretch to High Raise the clouds began to clear and for a few wonderful moments we were graced with a rainbow and views of the hills we had come to run over. Climbing High Raise was a chore, though, the rain came on again and the weather closed down. Despite this I felt better on the nice grassy trods down to Stake Pass. I wanted to get Rossett behind me so I could get stuck into Bow Fell which loomed large in my mind. Things went quiet as we toiled up. It felt slow but Scott informed us that we were 15 minutes ahead of schedule and immediately I was lifted. Scott headed off down the Band to the ODG for lunch having done a brilliant job keeping us on the straight and narrow. We retraced from Great End towards Esk Hause and ran down the track past Sprinkling Tarn rather than try to find the direct descent. It might be slower but it was safe.

A party had come up from Wasdale with coffee, brownies, potatoes and bars. It was cosy behind the stretcher box and nice to stop moving. Simon had to gently suggest that progress should be resumed. We wanted to use the scree descent off Gable but the scree we found was a bit bigger than the ideal. We stumbled onto Beck Head with little time lost and the final big climb on Pillar just the other side of Kirk Fell. My back was getting very tight and on the slopes of Pillar I had to lie down and try to stretch it out. It improved it for about 150m but that was enough to get me over the top and but for the fog the end was in sight and 30 minutes in hand on a 17 hour schedule. I kept telling myself to concentrate. A trip here could end it all prematurely; too cruel at this stage.

Finally we were on Middle Fell and trotting down the path. We heard Greendale Gill long before we saw it through the clag, clearly in spate. I realised just how much rain had come down since we started. Then we dropped down out of the cloud and there were the cars and the bridge that we had be running to all day and a little group of friends to welcome us in. Passers by looked on curiously as we stood for photos in the rain, drinking coffee and grinning from ear to ear and satisfaction, as Fred Rogerson used to say, dripping like fat from a goose from one of the group.