Challenge Details

Introduction 

The route leaves Pooley Bridge to traverse 30 summits over a distance of 48 miles and climbing 16,000 feet (77km, 4877m) with only two road crossings. 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. A challenge was offered to fell runners over the age of 50 to complete the run in set times according to their age group. 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. In 2021 Mike Ayers (Managing Director) announced that his company Precision Pest Management Solutions Ltd will sponsor the Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge by providing engraved tankards for successful contenders going forward.

Time Allowances

Men 50-54	12 hours		Women 50-54	14 hours
Men 55-59	15 hours	(since 2004)	Women 55-59	16 hours
Men 60-64	18 hours		Women 60-64	18 hours
Men 65+	24 hours		Women 65+	24 hours

The Route 

Start: on Pooley Bridge GR NY470244

Leg 1: via Barton Fell to Arthur’s Pike, Loadpot Hill, Wether Hill, Red Crag, Raven Howe, High Raise, Kidsty Pike, Rampsgill Head, High Street, Thornthwaite Beacon, Stoney Cove Pike, Pike How and Kirkstone Pass. 

Leg 2: Red Screes, Hart Crag, Fairfield, Seat Sandal and Dunmail Raise. 

Leg 3: Steel Fell, High Raise, Rossett Pike, Bowfell, Esk Pike, Great End, and Sty Head. 

Leg 4: Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Pillar, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Haycock, Seatallan, Middle Fell and 
Finish: on Greendale Bridge GR NY143056 

Four legs are generally recognised as a convenient way to split the route and pacers as well as providing support points but many runners prefer to combine some of the legs and each attempt should be tailored to the aspirant's own preferences.

Requirements 

Most fell runners find rules tedious and although anyone can do the route unsupported and in their own time there are a few requirements to be satisfied if attempts are to be validated and tankards awarded. This is intended to be a supported run for individuals with a pacer on each leg for safety reasons. It is not a group event. 

Those finishing within their age group time limit are to send the following information to me, Ian Charters, email: jossnaylor1990_@_gmail_._com [remove the underscores ("_")]

1. Schedule signed by pacer(s) witnessing times for each leg 
2. Receipt from the charity of their choice for at least £100 
3. Age category on the day of the attempt 
4. SAE for return of documents, if required 
5. Postal address, telephone number and email address, if available 
6. Account of the attempt, not more than one side of A4 paper 
7. Name of Running Club, if applicable 

Notes 

In order to have engraved tankards available at the Presentation Dinner the above information, I need to have the above information by the last Friday in September. I prefer to see scans or photographs of all documentation.

The annual Presentation Dinner is held on the first Saturday in November. 



Download the Challenge Details