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

Robert Sewell (M65) - 13 May 2023

 Joss Naylor Challenge Account

After my good friend Shaun Scott who I had successfully completed the Bob Graham

Round with in 1998 decided just before Christmas that his life was over another good

friend Kevin Bray suggested that as we were both over 65 we have a go at the Joss

Naylor Challenge in memory of Shaun. We also asked another friend Jon Punsheon who

was also over 65 to join us. On Shaun’s wife Claire’s suggestion we chose Survivors Of

Bereavement By Suicide as our chosen charity. We already had over £4000 pledged

before we even set off.

Stage 1 Pooley Bridge to Kirkstone

Pacers: Rich Carter, Jane Briggs and Mathew Briggs

We chose to set off at midnight to give us a good chance on our modest schedule of

finishing at Greendale before dark. The weather forecast was excellent, clear at the start

with a little mist over Arthurs Pike then as we progressed over the grassy summits a most

wonderful cloud inversion began making us feel as if we were on top of the world.

Kirkstone was completely enclosed by mist but above as the sun rose it was clear and

warm. We arrived at Kirkstone to be greeted by freezing temperatures so set off as soon

as possible to get above the cloud.

Stage 2 Kirkstone to Dunmail

Pacers: Sarah Acey, Lindsey Quinn, John Butters and his dog Jasper

We really couldn't wait to get back into the sunshine at the top of Red Screes so did quite

a quick climb back into the warmth. Hart Crag, Fairfield and Seat Sandal all passed

exactly on our chosen schedule but unfortunately due to the Keswick to Barrow Walk our

vehicles couldn't park at the top of Dunmail meaning we had to add extra distance down to

the old AA box lay-by and back. Not a problem as we literally had all day.

Stage 3 Dunmail to Sty Head

Pacers: Sarah Acey, Claire Calverley, John Telfer, Rich Kirby, Paul Appleby and Vaughan

Hemy.

The temperature at Dunmail was distinctly chilly so we didn't hang around too long. It was

great to be greeted by Julie a Joss Naylor Challenge representative. We had a strong

climb up onto Steel Fell and jogged along the grassy trods toward High Raise. We all

agreed that this is probably the dullest section but once we were over the back of High

Raise the views and paths became much more interesting. John led us on a great line up

Bowfell and an equally good descent off Great End to be greeted by a large welcoming

party at Sty Head with lots of goodies. The welcoming party included Shaun’s wife Claire

and his daughter Lois. It was lovely to find them so positive and I think it gave us all a lift to

see them.

Stage 4 Sty Head to Greendale

Pacers: Lois Scott, Claire Calverly, John Telfer, Rich Kirby and Vaughan Hemy.

We set off up Great Gable just 12 minutes behind our 20hr 19m schedule so we knew we

didn't have to push the pace to the finish. Kevin and I had agreed that if we could get up

Gable we had a good chance of completing the challenge. We got to the top ahead of our

planned split to give us a lot of confidence. A scree descent off Gable led to Kirkfell and

Pillar to be met by Chris Dixon, Grant Reed and his dog Skye. As we were fairly confident

of finishing before dark we allowed ourselves an unscheduled break to enjoy the fabulous

selection of food and drink they had carried up all the way from Wasdale. I can tell you that

after 17hr 45m of eating cereal bars and Jelly Babies etc a sausage roll tastes like the

best food you've ever eaten! So onto the last few hills and back on grass again we made

steady progress towards Greendale. I personally really struggled on Seatallan but Lois

kept me going right to the top. Middle Fell seemed much more straightforward and then

we were at Greendale Bridge 21hrs 36m since we left Pooley Bridge to be greeted by an

enthusiastic crowd including Joss Naylor's neighbours Ian and Sue who had turned out to

greet us.

A wonderful day out in the hills supported by lovely people on the route and at the road

crossings. A great team effort and a day to remember.

Pacers:

Rich Carter, Jane Briggs, Mathew Briggs, Sarah Acey, Lindsey Quinn, John Butters,

Jasper, Claire Calverley, John Telfer, Rich Kirby, Paul Appleby, Vaughan Hemy and Lois

Scott.

Road Support:

Linda Bray, Denise Waugh, Margaret Sewell, Mike Briggs, Claire Scott, Gary Mason,

Wendy Stephenson, Chris Dixon, Grant Reed and Skye