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