John Duff (M55) - 09 September 2023

 

Craig Stansfield (M55 Repeat) - 09 September 2023

I enjoyed doing the Joss Naylor Challenge when I was 50. I always knew I would have another attempt when I was 55. Training had gone well, so I set myself a 13.45 schedule.  

Leg1 supporters Mark Whittaker and Martin Haworth  

Pooley Bridge

    After a photograph on the bridge we set off from Pooley Bridge at 6am. We didn’t bother with head torches as it was going to come light soon. The weather forecast was to be hot and it didn’t disappoint. We were looking forward to a lovely sunrise, but ended up with clag and spectacular cloud inversions instead. We made steady progress talking about anything and everything. Ticking the tops off as we went. We nearly overshot Rampsgill Head in the clag, but bagged it and we were soon at Thornthwaite Beacon. No spectacular views today. We were soon dropping down to Kirkstone via the tourist path due to the bad visibility.  We were 5 minutes down but no issues. 

Leg 2 support Mark Whittaker and Martin Howarth.  
    It was nice to meet our greeter at Kirkstone. Who’s name I can’t remember (Rainer Burchett - Ian). A quick feed stop and we headed up Red Screes. We followed some encouraging signs put out by some event team on the climb. I was climbing well and soon we were at the Fairfield summit. The clag had lifted and we were blessed with the first amazing views of the day. Seat Sandal came and went and we were soon at Dunmail. 5 minutes up. 

Dunmail Raise

Leg 3 support David Fort and Matt Dunn. 

Approaching Great End

    It was lovely to see Lisa and my leg 3 support. Another quick feed of muller rice and a can of coke and we were on our way. Dave and Matt set a good pace up Steel Fell. They were spot on with the nav in the clag. We were soon at High Raise and 12 minutes up. Bowfell is always a tough climb, so I had a gel at the start of the climb. I was still climbing well. We were moving quickly and soon descending Great End and on our way to Styhead. 37 minutes up. 

Leg 4 support Helen Buchan and Charlie Parkinson.  

Middle Fell

    Plenty of food at Styhead. I was feeling good climbing Great Gable. It must have been the jam butties. We made good progress on leg 4 passing a couple of BG supports going the other way. We were soon descending the scree off of Haycock. We were running low on water which was a bit of a problem in the heat. We spotted another challenger in front that had set off 15 minutes before us. The Seatallan climb had been playing on my mind as I wasn’t sure how much I had left in the tank. I tucked in behind Charlie and followed his ankles. We were soon at the summit. The last climb was here. I was climbing well and soon passed the other challenger before the summit. A speedy descent and we were soon in Greendale. In a total time of 12 hours 49 minutes. 

Greendale Bridge

I was so happy to see Lisa, my awesome road support.  

I’d like to thank my support crew, Mark, Martin, David, Matt, Helen, Charlie. I’d like to give a big thank you to Lisa who was my road support for the day and as always encourages and supports me through all my crazy adventures. 

I managed to raise £520 for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis  

Tom Brunt (M50) - 02 September 2023

 Tom Brunt (Dark Peak Fell Runners, V50) – Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge, September 2, 2023

It was a warm and hazy late summer afternoon on the wonderful limestone hill of Arnside Knott. The Arnside bore had just raced up the estuary flooding the sandbanks and mudflats in a matter of minutes. But my focus was on the skyline of the Lakeland fells - working from right to left I picked out High Street, Stony Cove Pike, Red Screes, Fairfield and Seat Sandal. It is one of my favourite views and today it held a special significance today as just 24 hours earlier I had been running across the rocks, scree and squelching bogs of those peaks in a race against the clock. Stiff and aching legs were a constant reminder of that fact.

24 hours earlier…

I set off from Pooley Bridge at 8:03 (the stray 3 minutes due to some last-minute watch faffing) with Bill Stewart for company. The weather forecast is glorious, perhaps a little too glorious. Even at 8am the sun is strong, and it is clearly going to be a hot day. The first peak, Arthur’s Pike passes without incident and exactly on schedule. The pace feels brisk but manageable as we ascend onto the broad ridge heading south towards High Street. Minor (in some cases very minor) peaks come and go. Below Kidsty Pike early morning mist bubbles up from valleys to the east burning off quickly in the sun. Down into Threshthwaite Mouth and the relief of a walking climb. Up until this point it has been 2 hours of continuous running – the MV50 schedule for the first leg is a stern taskmaster. A good descent into Kirkstone sees us arrive at the carpark to be greeted by Paula (my wife and chief road support) and Rainer Burchett (JNLC reception committee). Apologies to Rainer if we were rather brusque! This was meant to be a two minute stop – in reality it stretched to seven.

Refuelled and doused in water we head off up Red Screes. Bill is on support duties for this next leg too. More food, more drinks and noticeably less chat; instead, we focus on the task at hand. The next climb up to Hart Crag drags – even with the patented Borrowdale Fell Runners Hodgson Relays leg 3 line we only manage to equal the split time. The sun is relentless and any hint of a breeze has disappeared. Up and over Fairfield and then my legs object to the sudden change from steep descending to climbing up Seat Sandal. A twinge of cramp shoots up the inside of my leg – this was not part of the plan. On the summit of Seat Sandal I glance round to check on Bill. A mistake… I catch my foot on a stone and crash unceremoniously to the ground. Every muscle group in my right leg seems to go into some sort of spasm. My left knee is bleeding. I feel nauseous. Gingerly I get back up and walk / jog / trot down to Dunmail not feeling on top form. Time to re-group.

Preparing to leave Dunmail Raise (Swatts, Jack and myself)

Bill’s work is done for the day and his final selfless act is to give me his two ice-cold cans of coke. They are accompanied with fresh peaches (delicious), and I try to eat, drink and get organised for the next leg as efficiently as possible. Minutes disappear at an alarming rate. Support from here to the finish comes from Stephen Watts (aka SWatts of Pennine Fell Runners – himself a successful JNLC V50 man) and my own Dark Peak clubmate Jack Foxall. The youngest member of the team, BilI’s daughter Tilly (13), is joining us for Steel Fell – she sets off ahead and is soon marching up the fellside looking as though she could carry on to Wasdale. Normally I relish steep walking climbs like Steel Fell but instead I feel lethargic– we are not catching Tilly up. Things take a turn for the worse heading to High Raise negotiating the bogs and knolls along the undulating ridge. Jumping over a boggy area my legs cramp up again. I have no idea how to stretch out my inner thigh. I seem to vaguely remember a technique called the “Naylor Shake” for dealing with cramp, but unfortunately none of us have the faintest idea how to administer a “Naylor Shake”. Instead, I opt for lots of liquid and electrolyte. This section is a low point. It feels as though we are moving through treacle, the air is hot, the ground is wet and boggy and I have taken my eye off the ball with the navigation so we end up (needlessly) on Calf Crag. The final drag to High Raise, descent to Stake Pass and the gentle ascent to Rossett Pike are little better. Mercifully clouds fill in and we are granted some respite from the sun – not a moment too soon. The food and drink start to kick in climbing up Bowfell. Leaving the boggy terrain behind and getting onto the rocky peaks which constitute the most dramatic section of the route – Bowfell to Steeple – is also a boost for morale. This is familiar territory, we get the direct descent line off Great End spot on and meet SWatts’ wife Mel at Sty Head with additional supplies. More peaches (tinned this time) really hit the spot. Mel and SWatts have devoted their wedding anniversary to this run – impressive commitment to the cause. Similarly, Jack has rearranged his weekend plans at short notice to support and travelled up from Sheffield this morning. I feel a strong sense of obligation not to let the support crew down.

Leaving Sty Head I am about 30 minutes down on my 11:40 schedule so I need to claw back at least 10 minutes, preferably a bit more to avoid an anxious final descent to Greendale Bridge. The best place to start is the long slog up Great Gable. We gain 3 minutes which is a real morale booster. The sun comes back out but doesn’t have the intensity of earlier in the day; the air feels cooler. The cramps seem to have gone – touch wood the salts and drinks have worked, and although my legs are feeling wooden on the descents I am still climbing strongly. SWatts and Jack are having to work hard to keep up on the climbs – I take this to be another encouraging sign. A few more minutes are gained against the schedule on both Kirk Fell and Pillar. Little by little my confidence is rising. I keep pushing hard on the climbs. Scoat Fell comes and goes, Steeple too – a wonderful spot in the evening sunlight. Grassier terrain leads up to Haycock and then the delightful trod across to Seatallan. The mental arithmetic of times and schedules and splits has been proving difficult, but I arrive at the trig point after exactly 11 hours. Even in its current fuzzy state my brain can work out that leaves me 1 hour (well, 59 minutes) to make it to the finish. For the first time I feel pretty much certain that I’m going to make it. Legs complain down the steep drop off Seatallan, and then just Middle Fell, an understated gem of a hill, is all that remains. I can see two figures on the summit. I know SWatts is one and realise that the other is Paula who has spent the day doing all the unsung road support tasks. It’s great to see her on the final hill. We take a minute to admire the view in stunning evening light and all trot down together. 

I reach Greendale Bridge 11 hours and 47 minutes after leaving Pooley Bridge. Hard work; it had been in the balance for much of the way, but that made the eventual success all the sweeter.

Seatallan and Haycock from Middle Fell – Jack and I are just about visible…

Jack and I reaching the top of Middle Fell.

Many thanks to:

Bill Stewart (Borrowdale Fell Runners) – Legs 1 and 2

Stephen Watts (SWatts, Pennine Fell Runners) – Legs 3 and 4

Jack Foxall (Dark Peak Fell Runners) -Legs 3 and 4

Paula Gould (chief road support and Middle Fell)

Mel Watts (additional road support and Sty Head)

Tilly Stewart (Steel Fell)

Louise Stewart (additional road support)

The obligatory team photo on Greendale Bridge – Swatts, myself, Jack and Mel

Andrew Merrick (M60) - 11 August 2023

I vaguely recall a running friend describing the Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge as a Bob Graham for old gits... so it felt like it was probably something for me, given that the time allowed increases with age.

Below 55, you get 12 hours as a man and 14 hours as a woman (15 and 16 respectively over 55), but a somewhat generous 18 hours (for all genders) over 60.

 

It was a good excuse to explore areas of the Lakes I didn’t know particularly well, the route starting in Pooley Bridge and heading over two legs to Dunmail, via Kirkstone, before then using a reasonable amount of the Bob Graham route, dropping into Greendale (near Wasdale) some 44 miles and 17,000 ft later.

 

The forecast for Friday issued by MWIS on Thursday afternoon looked encouraging, so we stuck with the plan of a dawn start in Pooley Bridge, after an overnight stay in a pub car park (what’s not to like) the night before, giving ample opportunity for pre run fuelling.

Jane McCarthy had kindly agreed to support the first two legs, and we set off as planned at 5am, on a rather murky, damp morning. The first leg is relatively gentle in terms of climb so I was keen to ensure we stuck with my intended 16 hour schedule, so that the support crew weren’t hanging around too much.  We had to contend with low cloud and a blustery wind, which brought a number of showers with it, particularly on the higher parts of the route. The temperature was quite pleasant but the wind and rain eventually forced us both to resort to waterproof jackets for the final climb and descent into Kirkstone. Visibility was down to about 50 meters at this point so we were pleased to see Lis, our road crew, and Rainer, a member of the club who had appeared to wish us well, before we headed off up Red Screes armed with more tailwind and a banana. 

We caught the briefest glimpse of the sun as we got close to the summit of Red Screes, and that was probably the only time all day, with the rain jacket also being a pretty permanent feature. There are only four summits on leg 2 (8 miles – 3,200ft) the final two of which are Fairfield and Seat Sandal and therefore familiar to Bobbers.  We had gained a little more time as I parted company with Jane at Dunmail, refuelling with tea and porridge before setting off with the birthday boy (Peter Shelley) following some more of the Bob route up to Steel Fell before diverting (off path) to High Raise and beyond.  It had at least stopped raining by this stage although it was wet under foot (I understood why Peter had his waterproof trousers on, when he went knee deep in bog at one point) and the wind became stronger and more gusty.  I was getting to the slightly tired stage at this point so found the long off path into the wind climb up to High Raise hard work, although the subsequent run down gave a period of recovery before the climb up to Rossett Pike, and the challenge of Bowfell.  

I have often struggled to find the right route up Bowfell and have ended up having to do some impromptu scrambling to get back onto what I would regard as the main path. This time Peter and I did manage to stay on a path, although not quite the intended one and took the summit by surprise from the rear having had some further off piste adventures.... Happily we were still slightly ahead of schedule and briefly had Hayley from Birmingham for company (the second runner we had seen all day), who added a detour to her plan to join us on Esk Pike and Great End.  Very kindly and in a chilly wind, Jann and Alison Weston were waiting for us at the summit of Great End to help us navigate a route down to Sty Head.

The birthday boy left us at that point, after I had been served coffee by Mr Weston, who had kindly brought a flask up the 4 or so miles from Wasdale.  Recharged, we set off on the last leg, similar in distance and climb (5,000ft) to leg 3.  With Jann and Alison navigating, leg 4 was reasonably uneventful if somewhat slower, other than the ongoing battle with the strong blustery wind, Windy Gap in particular living up to its name.  Fortunately the route out and back to Steeple wasn’t in the worst of the wind, and equally fortunately Jann didn’t mention someone had been blown off there on a previous attempt.

From then on, other than focusing on staying upright (both wind and tiredness were against me) it was a question of counting down the climbs until we got to the final peak at Middle Fell where we probably had the best (only?) view of the day, down towards Wastwater. Peter re-joined us there for the descent to Greendale Bridge, arriving just ahead of my intended schedule in just under 15 ½ hours. Unfortunately the man himself wasn’t well enough to join us although we had armed ourselves with Mackeson Stout, just in case. Instead, we celebrated with Graham (Weston), Paul and Lis, with beer and tea before heading home after a long but satisfying day.   I am now looking forward to two dinners this autumn.

Greendale Bridge

 

A big thank you to my fantastic support crew of Jane, Peter, Jann, Alison and Lis, with a guest star appearance from Graham at Sty Head, and Paul C (in charge of comms at Greendale by finding the right rock to stand on to get signal!), all of whom gave up a significant amount of time to support this blustery adventure. And a final thank you to Ian Charters of the Joss Naylor Club for his patient and timely response to my many queries.

 

Andrew

Chris Smallman (M60) - 08 July 2023

At 5am on Saturday 8^th July, I met up with Alistair Hearn and Ian Hewett in the car park at Pooley Bridge for the start of my Joss Naylor Challenge. After a quick photo on Pooley Bridge itself and with sufficient light, so no need for head torches, we set off on my 17.5 hour schedule. On this first leg the weather was being very kind, warm and with a lovely breeze which meant the visibility of the summits was clear and distinctive. Underfoot was very dry so managed to gain time on the schedule and hit Kirkstone Pass 25 minutes ahead.

After an approximate 10 minute break and having an unexpected meet and greet from Rainer I headed off up Red Screes with Alistair Hearn, Ian Stephenson, Alex Kirby and Alan Bland. After summiting Red Screes we ascended Hart Crag increasing my lead by 45 minutes. This I felt was going to be very beneficial as I knew the next two legs were going to be the hardest. Again another productive leg which saw us arriving into Dunmail at 11.02, now being 50 minutes ahead of schedule and the weather was still holding for us. 

Here I took a 15-minute break, refuelled and then started the ascent up Steel Fell with two fresh new pacers in Josie Greenhalgh and Marcus Taylor. Everything was still going ahead of schedule until we hit Bowfell where I started to struggle with stomach issues and cramp. With the help of Josie giving me salt tablets and Marcus firing coke into me and both urging me on I pushed on. Near the top of Sty Head I vomited which cleared my stomach and made me feel a lot better and hit the top ready and willing to hit leg 4. Here I was met by James McLaughlin, Chris Wright and Stephanie Wilson. Stephanie had climbed up from Wasdale Head to bring extra supplies, James had climbed up from Greendale Bridge and Chris had climbed up from Honister Slate Mine.

James, Chris and myself then headed off to ascend Great Gable once on the summit we were greeted with thunder, lightning and torrential rain. I was now feeling a lot better and still making good time even though the visibility was now pretty poor, we also still managed to navigate the last summits without any errors. After descending off Middle Fell, the last summit, we ran to Greendale Bridge ahead of my scheduled time in 16 hours 18 minutes being met by Stephanie who had run back into Wasdale and Sarah Smallman, my wife. We were pretty drenched by this time but happy to have completed it.

I would just like to say a big thank you to all of my support crew but especially a big thank you to my wife as this would not have been possible without her.

Glynn Jones (M70) - 17 July 2023

 Last time (24 days before) everything was right except the weather: 60 mph winds for a retreat from Hart Crag the first (in June 2022) my fitness wasn't good enough and I was 14 minutes over the 24 hours. This time it had to work I would not be enticed into a fourth attempt! Not even by my keen band of 4 who have helped me to refocus my life after Barbara died in 2020: Jane Meeks, Gary Baum, Helene and Jonny Whitaker. All younger, fitter, and more talented than me. All lovely people. Would their kindness stretch to the slow pace of a 70-year-old with a gammy knee?

It did! Although my lack of bravery on the descents (I have osteoporosis) must have exasperated them. You who read this will know that the JNLC has 17,000 feet of descent and it's 49 miles (the most rough and steep bits coming after half-time, when quads are turning to jelly and knee joints to wood) descending anything more than 20° slope has not been a joy for me for the last 30 years, but I will not describe my tribulations of this challenge’s descents - slippery rock on Gable and Kirk Fell gave me a tumble several times - or this account will become a lament instead of a swansong. My team managed magnificently and had done their homework thoroughly. Thank you Jane, Helene, Gary, Jonny. It was an honour to be supported by you and a wonderful 23 hours 46 minutes for me.

Serenaded by fighter jets, Jonny takes me fast along High Street, every split time gaining on the schedule, so that we arrive at Kirkstone 36 minutes up. Glorious Summer afternoon becomes sombre evening as cloud creeps in from the west and we get a few spots of rain on Pike How. Two more minutes are gained as Gary unerringly leads me across Beckstones Moss, He’s recce’d this section so many times that he doesn’t need to look at the map. His third time pf pacing me here but first in daylight (which is rapidly dying as cloud envelops the tops).

From being 38 minutes up on Fairfield my descending inability and darkness reduce this lead. By the time we arrive at Dunmail, alive with insect life attracted by head-torches, I’m exactly on the 22.5 hour schedule. This is fine by me because I don’t expect to finish anywhere near 22.5 hours, but the ladies are worried, which gives them reason to divest me of all gear, including compass & map. The men at least allowed me my bumbag with nibbles and water: I never imagined these nice women could be so severe! Apparently, I will not have the option of lying down in, or even on, my survival bag; of taking photos; of stopping to have the occasional peek at the map. This no-nonsense approach is right of course, they know how I procrastinate with legs as well as brain….

I do as I am told and move steadily up the beast of Steel Fell, into the cloud which will keep us wet, or very wet, for the next 11 hours. Up here a breeze keeps the insects at bay but with darkness had come a dreadful lethargy and “steadily” isn’t enough to prevent me from losing time (I lose 4 minutes on Steel Fell). I don’t want to disappoint my team, so I stride manfully onward through marsh & tussock to High Raise (31 minutes lost). But “manfully” isn’t enough either either, and by Rossett Pike (a further 28 minutes lost) I’ve slipped over a 23:30 estimate. I can hear the concern in their voices as they confer, but all they will say is “Every second counts, Glynn”. It’s fully light as we top out of the Bowfell Traverse. Light enough now to see the worry etched on their faces. Although Jane beams her radiant smile at me, this dims when I say I can’t face the direct line off Great End. Last year this took 58 minutes; a recce of the long route took 39 minutes; today I take 48 minutes ….

[Postmortem of times revealed at at Styhead Pass I had tipped so far into the red that I was then 4 minutes over the 23:55 estimate! No wonder team morale dwindled]

We’ve had some great atmospheric views but now the rain begins in earnest and we see only the inside of clouds. Time for heads-down plodding, digging deeper, getting back into the rhythm that a long hill challenge needs - a rhythm lost at my 10pm bedtime. We claw back 12 minutes on Gable, 20 minutes on Pillar, restoring their faith that it might just be possible.

Sheltering behind the wall on Scoat Fell we put on all spare clothing and hurry on, Helene continuing to post in broken biscuits, Jane guiding us expertly through the clag, down the rocky flank of Haycock. Standing on Seatallan, with water trickling down inside my clothing, I see my previously frowning friends are smiling! They are even relaxed enough now to allow me to know the time remaining! I have 105 minutes (last year it was 65 minutes).

Enough time, even for me with both knees seized to manage the last two mountains.

Greendale Bridge

Anne Daykin (W65) - 01 July 2023

Leaving Pooley Bridge at 4.00am, all is quiet. Up through the caravan park no-one stirs. On the fell, around Loadpot Hill, a badger trundles across the path in front of us. I hate early starts, but this is great! Not long after this the raincoats go on, then the hat and gloves. We pause behind the wall at Thornthwaite Beacon, appreciating a brief respite from the strong wind. It’s not yet 6.30 and we’re well on our way.

Soon we’re down at Kirkstone, and I sit on a towel in Teresa’s van drinking a pint of tea while she makes me scrambled eggs. Off up Red Screes, into the weather again. The cloud is down and it’s confusing on Hart Crag, so Katy gets out the map and compass. No hanging around on Fairfield, the wind is ferocious and the cloud is still down. From Seat Sandal, Teresa sprints off to Dunmail Raise to let them know we’re coming.

Scrambled Eggs at Kirkstone (Photo-Teresa de Curtis)

Leg 3 and the wind is getting worse. Strong enough to impede walking and blow you off balance. “We won’t be running much in this” I say, at the top of Steel Fell. It is what it is, the time doesn’t matter, we just have to keep moving and we’ll get there in the end. I take the lead, though Nikki warns me when I’m veering too far to the right up High Raise. I planned to follow the grassy trod all the way below Rossett Pike and just nip up onto the summit from directly below, but I head into the rocks instead. Everything is greasy in the wet, and I paid for my lapse when my foot slipped and a boulder savaged a large area of skin from the side of my leg. I’m lucky it’s just a surface wound. After Bowfell it doesn’t feel far to Styhead, in spite of the wind. We choose the direct route off Great End and Matthew sprints ahead, but they’ve seen us coming anyway.

In the Wind on Fairfield. (Photo-Teresa de Curtis)

In the Wind on Great Gable (Photo-Nikki Hamerton)

I’ve developed a craving for Kendal Mint Cake (“I’ve got some!” pipes up Abby) and I forgot to ask for more Ribena here (“I’ve got some!” pipes Abby again). The ticklist for Leg 4 has gone AWOL, but Jean has the map marked up from her (sub 12 hour) Joss two years ago, so we don’t have to think about it. A good team! I tuck in behind Jean and we set off up Great Gable, still no let-up from the wind. At the col beyond Gable the rescue helicopter is sidling in to pick up a casualty. Rather apt, as I’ve chosen NW Air Ambulance as my charity. Over Kirk Fell and down to Black Sail, where I’d scheduled another brief stop. I know that I struggle to drink enough cold liquid, so Linda and Dave, hunkered down behind a boulder, were ready with more pints of tea.

Air Ambulance in Action, descending Great Gable (Photo-Nikki Hamerton)

Still in the Wind on Middle Fell (Photo-Abby Tighgeal)

Onwards towards Pillar, my legs feel strong but my pockets are filling up with things I’ve taken a bite of and can’t finish. Abby keeps passing me squares of Kendal Mint Cake, and we keep on going. It’s so nice to get past Steeple, off the rocks, and suddenly we’re running again, down the lovely grassy descent off Scoat Fell. Either by good luck or good judgement, we avoid all the bogs between Haycock and Seatallan (I hadn’t been able to recce a good line because it’s been so dry recently) and suddenly here we are on Middle Fell. Steady away on the final descent, same as we’d done the last 16.5 hours. Now isn’t the time to fall over, and I don’t want to overdo it and feel like a mess at the end. Lovely little group waiting on the bridge to cheer me home – what a great day out!

Coming down to Greendale Bridge (Photo-Ian Charters)

Official finishing time is 16 hours 32 minutes, which I’m quite happy with since we were running into a blustery headwind all day. I’m even happier when I’m told I’ve set a new record for females over 65

With thanks to The Running Team:

Leg 1 Ralph Baines, Mike Wallis (both Clayton Harriers)

Leg 2 Katy Thompson, Teresa de Curtis (both Clayton Harriers)

Leg 3 Nikki Hamerton, Matthew Daykin

Leg 4 Jean Brown (Clayton Harriers) Abby Tighgeal (Craven Pothole Club)

And Ground Support:

Ken Daykin, Mike Avison, Linda Gough, Dave Brown

Steve Jones (M60) - 03 June 2023

 Steve Jones and his Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge – 3^rd June 2023

Steve informed me a year ago that he wished to attempt the Joss Naylor as he would be 60 in October 2022. I was due to have a foot operation in the December which would keep me out of action for about 12 months – and Steve shrewdly knew that I would jump at the chance to be his wingman as it would keep me involved with our running community. There is nothing I like more than to plan and so I set about putting the team together. Fast forward to base camp in Keswick last Friday and we had a crack team of a dozen support runners and two navigators. Partners of support crew and those who just wanted to be there, swelled our group to nearly 30.

The Start

The weather couldn’t have been better when Steve started at 3am on Poolley Bridge, not a cloud in the sky and a near full moon. Leg 1 was supposed to finish just before 7am at Kirkstone Pass – remarkably Steve and his crew strutted in just before 6.20am. Oh dear, this was too early for one of our support runners, maybe he planned it this way! It was also a few minutes early for Rainer Burchett who had kindly come out to support Steve, someone he had never met. Rainer was a little taken aback when I told him where he lived and that I stayed at his lovely house a few years ago when supporting one of his friends on a BG attempt.

I just hoped that the pace set for leg 1 wasn’t too suicidal. I was meticulous with my planning, and schedules are put together for a purpose and so they are followed – I would have stern words for the navigator / pace setter if things didn’t work out…

Sunrise

So, 45 minutes up after leg 1 and the sun now up, the leg 2 support were instructed to ease up on the pace. However, coming off Seat Sandal down to Dunmail Raise looked effortless. Another 15 minutes banked and Steve was now exactly an hour up on his 17.30 schedule. Two of our leg 3 support runners arrived with literally minutes to spare, having driven from Stockport in the early hours. A 5 minute sit down on the stile here for Steve as he tucked into his rice pudding and had another change of top, and then it was off up Steel Fell.

Dunmail Raise

I was amazed at just how many cars and campers Seathwaite can accommodate, when we arrived in 2 cars with support runners for leg 4. The weather was astonishing and on the walk to Sty Head the pools were full of people cooling off. We only had 5 minutes to spare at Sty Head as Steve had picked up more time, and he still looked remarkably well. Another crack team of support runners were tasked to get him over the line.

We set off in a convoy from Keswick at 3pm to Nether Wasdale and the finish at Greendale Bridge. Over 20 of us were there to witness Steve run with a smile to the finish in a time of 15.51, well inside his 17.30. Joss couldn’t be there to meet Steve, but he’d kindly informed his neighbours who he instructed to run to accompany Steve from Middle Fell to the finish – a lovely gesture.

Nearly There

The Finish

Steve really is a machine. He is a legend and our hero in these parts – many of us have only run in the Lakes and undertaken the BG, Lakeland 100 and many others, due to Steve. We’re very proud of our friend and what he’s achieved throughout his running career. The amount donated to the charity of his choice is testament of that.

Neil Thompson
8^th June 2023

Nick Dybeck (M60) - 22 May 2023

 A family day out

 The story of my attempt at the Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge starts way back in the 1990’s when, in my late 30’s, I took up running. I was lucky enough to have moorland on my doorstep and I very quickly discovered fell running, the Fell Runners Association, and heard about a remarkable bloke called Joss Naylor. Just a few years earlier, Joss had set up a challenge for the over 50’s which was in a part of the world I loved, and ending near Ennerdale where I’d once lived. I like a challenge and it was at least 14 years before I could have a go, so there was plenty of time for training and dreaming. That was it, I was inspired. One day I promised myself, I’ll do the Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge......

There are three essentials for a successful attempt in my view; Inspiration, Commitment, Training/Planning. So, I’d ticked the first box. Thanks, Joss, the world needs people like you to do remarkable things to inspire the rest of us.

The second was to prove a bit harder. I realised, after some recces and training at age 55 and 60, that the commitment required to stand on Pooley Bridge at 5am with even half a chance of completing, is huge. The furthest I’d ever run on the fells was about 25km, and the longest I’d ever spent on the hills was about 14hrs. So 66km, 4900m and 18hours was daunting. It meant that I needed to commit to a 9-month training schedule, learn about nutrition, experiment with food that’d stay down, block out days and weeks in the diary for races and recces, find comfortable and lightweight kit, constantly worry about diet and falling ill, and become totally absorbed in the challenge.

In mid-2022, having retired and with bit more time to train, but well into the 60-65 category, I decided it was now or never. I made the commitment.......and then realised I’d need a support team to commit too! Not being part of a club, and preferring solitary running and the emptiness of wild open country, I wanted to make the attempt with a small close-knit group of family and friends, so the hard part was persuading them to commit to my selfish endeavour. Luckily, I have two daughters who like a challenge, a long suffering and supportive wife, and willing in-laws and friends. So, with their commitment the date was set: May 22^nd 2023. That was the second essential nailed. Just a bit of training to do and some logistics planning.

My training schedule was deliberately flexible; gradually increase distance, ascent, and time. Mix it up a bit; some long some short some hard some easy. The build-up was gradual but relentless. I recce’d the route, some parts several times, and imprinted it in my mind. I’d settled on which energy bars, drinks, biscuits, and nibbles to take. My kit was comfortable and well worn in. By April I was living and breathing JNLC, becoming a bore, friends and family wondered if I’d ever talk about anything else! In early May, I checked the weather forecast, again and again, all looking good! When the floor at home was covered in boxes of stuff for the changeovers and instructions for the support team, it was obviously time to go. The date had been set 6 months ago and I couldn’t believe my luck. The weather was looking good, a slight breeze, thin high cloud, and not too hot. Let’s go.

The day itself, looking back, is something of a blur. But I get frequent flashbacks of great happiness. Catching the sunrise near Arthurs Pike, and the sunset from Seatallan. Bouncing along the soft bogginess of Wether Hill, sliding down the scree off Great Gable. Flying down from Stoney Cove Pike, cruising along after Haycock. Floating up Red Screes, and glad to get to the top of Pillar. Feeling the strain towards High Raise, waves of joy descending from Middle Fell. Encouraging words from Kirkstone meeters and greeters, whoops of delight at Greendale. The pleasure of being in such a magnificent landscape, on such a beautiful day with my daughters is indescribable. At the time, I had absolute clarity. Every moment, I was in it. “You haven’t got to think too far ahead” said Joss in a news article and I followed his advice. I knew it was achievable so “just keep going” was one of my mantras, as was “every little decision made (right left slower quicker) is the right one” no need to get frustrated, you’ve scheduled it so there’s plenty of time, you know you can do it.

The real heroes of the challenge, having trained so hard for it were my daughters. I couldn’t have done it without their enthusiasm, stubbornness, encouragement and determination. I’ll be eternally grateful too, to the rest of the team who made sure we were properly fed, well watered, suitably motivated, and pointed in the right direction every step of the journey. And I couldn’t have done it without the inspiration; thanks Joss.

It was a great day out with family and friends.  

Arthurs Pike

Ramspgill

Kirkstone Pass

Fairfield

Dunmail

Pillar

Seatallan

The Team - Greendale Bridge

Steeple & Ennerdale

Sunset over Ennerdale