Chris Roberts (M60) - 25 Aug 18

Bryan Stadden (M60) & Lynette Porter (W50) - 04 August 18

Having completed the round in 2015 as a M55 and attended the dinner which was memorable I thought it was time to have another go in the M60 category. I had initially attempted a M50 round but failed to meet the schedule so now with 18 hrs available and recovery from persistent injuries it was game on for another attempt.

My club is Bitton Road Runners in Bristol so obviously I was on the wrong surface but there are a few in the club who like their trail runs but even fewer who run in the mountains – we are not a fell club! One such member though who I have convinced it’s the best running to be had is Lynette Porter with whom I have formed an off-road running partnership, and over the years and have got to understand each other’s strengths, weaknesses and characters in adverse conditions. Lynette was really keen to have a go however, as a F50 it meant a sub 14 hour schedule and a target time of 13hrs 40mins was used.

Being based in Bristol, and also a road running club it is not easy to get supporters and more importantly those who would know the route. After explaining this to Ian Charters it was agreed that we could have an official attempt supporting each other, although he did add that history was not on our side as pairs often are incompatible and the attempt usually falls apart. Anyway for us it meant game on and the date was agreed in roughly 3 weeks’ time. There was no time for any recce’s or specific training it was simply a matter of turn up and see how it goes, - ‘better get on it’ – Lynette would say.

My ever supportive wife – Hilary would be the road support and we fortunately had two friends on holiday in the area who could meet us at Sty Head for a re-supply only, so that was the team a real skeleton crew. It meant having to carry all your kit inc. food and fluids not the best plan for your fastest crossing attempt but if that is the only way to have a go then so be it and thanks to Ian for agreeing to this!

The summer of 2018 will be remembered for a prolonged dry and very hot spell and as we neared our planned date we were hoping for cooler conditions, and hopefully a bit of cloud cover. Well sometimes you get what you wish and the weather gods turned up trumps.

Pooley Bridge

We set off at 6.00am from Pooley Bridge and having got through Park Foot campsite successfully – always worth a recce having got lost in there before – we emerged on to the fell in thick mist. As we neared Arthur’s Pike we broke through the cloud into a fantastic inversion. This lifted the spirits I just wish I had time to take a photo but I knew the schedule would be touch and go so stops would only be the necessary ones. This is often said to be the easiest section of the route an combined with fresh legs it can apparently be too easy to get way ahead of your schedule and so say have time in the bank. Not for us though we seemed to be chasing the schedule all along this section and were often losing time. This was dispiriting at this stage as it already instilled doubts about getting around in time. I have had this before and even on recces so I questioned my schedule and think I would amend it for future attempts – yes there will be other goes as we move through the age category’s. We arrived at Kirkstone Pass 10mins down and we realised that this was going to be a relentless day if we were to claw back this time or was it going to gradually slip away to make it sub 14hrs, I was Ok though with 18hrs to complete but I so wanted Lynette to achieve her target time.

Kirkstone Pass

Hilary was there with all the goodies laid out and also a meet & greet in the form of Rainer Burchett which was a surprise and especially for my wife, someone to chat with. It felt really unsociable as we hurried through in 5mins trying to keep focused on what we needed – drinks, food, fresh map and timings, dump the rubbish we had enough weight to carry. It’s really easy to lose too much time at the control, time we certainly did not have! Lynette being a triathlete reminded me that my transitions were a bit slow!

We tried to limit the amount of fluids we would carry, I stuck with one 500mil bottle and Lynette would fill her bladder from a bottle as it’s too easy to carry too much in one of those. There still seemed to be streams flowing despite the hot weather, maybe they had more rain than down south so refills were possible en-route. Once over Seat Sandal I managed to find the path off the summit for the first time having usually dropped into the gill, we managed to claw back 2mins so we were now 8mins down on the schedule but things were going he right way at least.

Hilary topped up the supplies in our sacks – fluids and energy bars etc and this time the full fat coke cola came out and cheese rolls – a burst of energy and some slow release carbs. We bade farewell for a while now as we would not now see her until the finish and set off up the steepest climb of the day – Steel Fell. These days with the popularity of the Bob Graham and countless recces there is a good track to follow. It took me the whole climb to get the cheese roll down, I seemed to be chewing it all the way up but being a steady plod it was the best time to be doing it.

Dunmail Raise

Once over the top the track was fortunately quite dry, still boggy in places but nothing compared to what it can be like! High Raise was the usual pathless tussock haul which makes you think that you are losing time, but the schedule was working out ok, we lost a bit but then gained on the climb to Bowfell. Reaching this point is significant for me the whole nature of the route changes to much rockier terrain and steeper climbs. In the back of my mind I was thinking what route we should take off Great End as I didn’t want to go backwards towards Esk Hause to drop onto the path. Lynette is not too quick down steep terrain and you really need to be to make up time on this section. We could also possibly lose time if we picked a poor line down having not been here since my 2015 crossing. We agreed to go straight over and see what happens, we managed to pick up the cairns for a while, until I bailed out and headed for the path so a composite route down to Sty Head was made, was it faster I don’t know, when we arrived we were still 9mins down which is not a lot and we had a 20min cushion but it was the wrong way and we didn’t like that

Two friends were waiting with supplies together with a bunch of Mountain Rescue bods who were marshalling the Borrowdale Fell Race. There was now a lot of encouragement to help us on our ascent of Great Gable. In the seemingly frenzy of the moment we both forgot to top up our fluids, I think it was the pleasure of firing cans of coke down that we lost focus. Not having support this is typical of things that can go wrong once the power of rational thinking goes.

The cloud had dropped onto the summits and I thought we were in for rain at which point I realized that I had left my waterproof jacket back at Dunmail Raise, so hopefully the rain would not come now especially when we were the most tired. We were now totally out of water and managed to get a refill from some still pond, not the best but with a zero tablet it seemed to taste alright, it was a lifesaver in reality. We felt buoyant as we were pulling time back however I seemed to lose the schedule and map on the descent off Great Gable so we were effectively running blind and now only had the finish time to focus on which was not helpful.

Pillar is another significant point on the route, the final major climb done but where were we on the schedule? We could only keep pushing and hope that we were still on the target time. We got the right descent off Haycock over to the right from the summit to miss the boulder field and onto the Pots of Ashness which were nice and dry and runnable all the way to Seatallen – the sting in the tail. Once on the descent Lynette could see Middlefell and her heart sank as it seemed such a long way with the time remaining but I explained that its deceptive and after a short climb it’s a long flat ridge to the final summit. It was now going to be continual encouragement to have a chance of beating the 14hr deadline, and to miss it by a few minutes after such a continuous day of effort was not going to happen. Once on the summit I mentioned that she would have to cut loose on the run down and risk falling over, all or nothing. When we eventually saw Greendale Bridge she thought it still looked too far to make it in time but it’s a great run in and I knew we were on for it by a reasonable margin, I didn’t let her know though as I wanted to keep her pushing hard right to the end. Round the right side of the house this time straight to the bridge and when Lynette realised she was going to make it she got quite emotional and who can blame her especially with Joss Naylor waiting on the bridge to welcome us in.

Greendale Bridge

It was a perfect ending to a memorable day, our few friends – Hilary my wife and Bill and Claire Graham were there and finishing with 11 mins to spare in 13hrs 49mins, smashed it as far as we were concerned!.

Joss was generous with his praise, what a star and he also pointed out that from the crest where you first become visible there is another track – ‘see that track he said, ‘takes minute and half off your time that’. What great advice for the next time!

Bryan Stadden

Lynette Porter

Hazel Tayler (W60) - 24 June 18

I completed my Joss Naylor Challenge on Sunday 24th June in 17 hrs 30 mins.  I turned 60 in April which gave me 18 hours to complete the distance.  This was a leap into the unknown for me having previously only run races up to 26 miles.

I set off at 4 am from Poole Bridge on a perfect morning.  My two companions were Harvey Lord and Simon Austin.  The sun was just rising over the morning mist and it promised to be a beautiful day. 

My best memories of leg one were the beautiful views high above Ullswater and the sun shining through miles of cotton grass across the fells.  We were also lucky enough to see deer bounding across the hillside near High Street.  I made the schedule easily on this leg but tried hard not get carried away - there was a long way to go.  I was 8 minutes up on schedule at Kirkstone where my husband Pete was waiting with the support team and breakfast!  It was also great to see John Millen who had cycled up the Struggle to support me at 8 o’clock in the morning at Kirkstone.

(photo: Tim Ripper)

I was joined on leg 2 by Sue Ross, Chris Roberts, James Goffe, Anna Lupton and Mark Roberts.  Sue led me rather briskly up Red Screes but we settled down after that!  Mark Roberts lead a brilliant line up to Hart Crag and we were soon over Fairfield, looking down onto Grizedale Tarn.  This was my favourite view on this leg.  The tarn looked impossibly blue and still under bright blue clear skies - and someone was swimming.  I was rather envious! 

I was still slightly ahead of schedule at this stage so I climbed and descended Seat Sandal easily to avoid working my legs too hard before Steel Fell!

I set off from Dunmail Raise 15 minutes ahead of schedule feeling comfortable.  My new pacers included my husband Pete Tayler, Jess Lawrence and Josh Hartley, Holly Orr, Simon Austin (up to High Raise) and Polly the dog!  I took a steady pace up Steel Fell.  It was soon behind me and I made up 2 minutes against the schedule.  However, the next leg up to High Raise proved to be much harder work over tussocks and trackless terrain.  I had to keep focused on a good urgent pace over this 65-minute section.  I was on time for this section which I believe is absolutely crucial to success on leg three.  Perhaps the next most crucial point is the climb up Bowfell.  By now the day was pretty hot, although there was a pleasant breeze.  The big fear is dehydration of course but my team did an excellent job of keeping up my fluids, electrolytes and food.  The climb up Bowfell went well and I actually enjoyed it, particularly the views of The Great Slabs.  We continued on over now very rocky ground to Sty Head with Pete leading an excellent descent down a stony gulley from Great End!  It was here that we were met by James Harris who stayed with me until the end, keeping up my spirits with lots of chat which was much appreciated.

Many thanks also to Helen Walker and Simon Rodger for a great break at Sty Head.  I feel so fortunate to have had excellent road support from Helen and Simon as well as Pete Tayler.

At Sty Head, I was still in good shape and ahead of schedule, however muscles around my left knee were causing me pain on the descents. I took some pain killers and set off up Gable, still climbing strongly.

Leg 4 is perhaps my favourite leg with views of the mighty Gable, the airy paths up to Pillar and the rocky outcrop of Steeple, all bathed in low sunny evening light.  I was pleased to have Tim Ripper as my lead pacer on this leg as he knows the area so well. I also had the company of Will Ross, Simon Rodger, James Harris, Julian Donnelly, Kath Gill and Pete Tayler (the last 3 up to Kirk Fell), plus the dogs Pip and Mae. Steve Wathall came up to Beck Head to wish me luck which was very welcome. Tim lead a great line off Kirk Fell avoiding the usual gully and also a good grassy line leftwards off Haycock.  We also managed to avoid most of the rocky scree leading to Steeple by taking a pleasant, scrambly right hand line across the rib to the summit.  One of my favourite moments was crossing the wall en route to Haycock from Steeple.  I was preparing to climb a stile, however, Tim opened a gate 50 meters further on which I hadn’t known was there!  What a gent! 

(photo: Simon Austin)

From Haycock I really struggled with the downhills because of my painful knee.  Climbing and level ground were great, fortunately.  So, I climbed fairly hard and allowed myself more time on the descents to even out the pace.  From Haycock to the finish I lost about 30 minutes but at that point I was already 30 minutes up on schedule so, fortunately, there was no doubt that I would finish on time.

(photo: Pete Tayler)

(photo: Pete Tayler)

It is worth mentioning that the climbs up Seatallan and Middle Fell were magic, with the hills bathed in the golden light of sunset and a full moon. Pete was there to meet me on Middle Fell which was indeed a welcome sight.  Yes, Seatallan was a tough climb but it was soon done and the last fell top, Middle Fell was easily achieved.  I cane down to Greendale Bridge as fast as my knees allowed which was very slowly!  This didn’t matter though in the context of an incredible, life-changing day out on the fells with my husband and many great friends.  Thanks to Charmian Heaton and Steve Wathall for bringing Joss to Greendale Bridge and then to the pub for a celebratory drink.    I was also extremely pleased to raise more than £800 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Hazel Tayler
Black Combe Runners

John Booth (M65) - 22nd June 2018

Approaching my 65^th birthday late 2017, I thought how should I celebrate? Throw a party and invite loads of family and friends, take my family out for a meal, invite relations, possibly get loads of gifts that you don’t really need at my ripe old age? My wife Sandra said why don’t you just do something with your running pals.

So, I said yes you might be onto a good idea there! So, I got to thinking what could we do? and on browsing through the Fellrunner mag, came across Martin Stone’s Long Distance Running section, which I always found interesting.

Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge…. Hmmmm, Could I? Should I?..................

So after a lot of mental interrogation, I decided I was indeed mental enough to have a go.

One night in the pub after one of our weekly off road Tuesday nights out I confided in Alan Williams, a fellow clubmate, on the idea of a 65^th retirement do, by attempting the JNLC. Do you think I could do it Al?

Brilliant idea, he enthused and us lot needed a project to keep us occupied over winter and into 2018.

So, the plot was made, confidentially initially, just get through winter with more stamina training and then start recceing in Spring 2018 with a view to a June attempt. Then in February 2018 made my declaration to my fellow off roader clubmates, to rally round supporters for each leg and plan several visits up to the lakes. There was a splendid reaction from everyone and everyone had a real buzz out of the thought of another load of excuses to get up into the lakes and on the fells. So, after a holiday in late March the training began, a solid two months through end of April, May and into June up to the lakes whenever we could. I cannot thank my fellow clubmates enough for their selfless support each and every week to recce the route. Particular thanks to Andy and Mal who eventually, as I will explain later could not make it on the actual attempt.

Planned dates either 15/16^th June or 22/23^rd June weekends, which would quite coincidently be exactly 18 years after my Bob Graham Round.

Apart from the first week when we recced Leg 1 when the weather was extremely wet, we had possibly the best of the summer weekends one could have wished for. Especially good for visibility and exploring any shortcuts or easy descents.

Everything was looking great for the first scheduled date 15/16^th until the forecast suggested a poor weekend, can you believe it after the preceding 8-10 weeks of glorious sunshine.

So decided to scrap the first weekend and looked anxiously at the weather for the following week. The only draw back being that Mal Fletcher couldn’t do second weekend due to work commitments, both of us gutted as she had committed so much time to recceing. Simon was also unavailable due to holidays. Leg 2 support now in question.

But fortunately Winky (Steve Whincup) and Amy Grace immediately stepped forward to do Leg 2 support. If this wasn’t enough Andy Painter injured his calf that same weekend so sadly had to pull out of the support for Leg 3! Problems!

Dave Hindley suggested we contacted an old friend, Dave Sykes to see if he was available and willing to pick up Leg 3 support. After a few phone conversations Dave Sykes said he was up to it and volunteered his valuable services.

So, sorted………just got to get on with it. 22^nd June arrived and it was all good to go.

Steve Carter and Arthur Summers were the road crew, ferrying everyone about and forgoing much sleep to be on hand at all the desired change overs and provide the food and water for everyone.

POOLEY BRIDGE 11:00pm Friday 22^nd June 2018.

DAVE HINDLEY & STEVE CROWE SUPPORT

Myself, Dave Hindley (Navigaton) and Steve Crowe (support) lined up on the bridge on a wonderfully clear night, a few last minute photos and farewells, good luck wishes and we were off on Leg 1. There was a half moon, no need for a head torch initially and we arrived at Arthurs Pike in 60 minutes. First one ticked off, felt so good to be off and running at long last.

Steadily ticked off the peaks, slight cool breeze most of the night, but very clear. Could see Mars for most of the night as we headed south.

Wild campers on High Street, hopefully didn’t disturb their slumbers as we quietly drifted past on towards Thornthwaite Beacon, where the moon looked amazing.

Found the nice grassy decent down to the coll before climbing up to Stoney Cove Pike arriving at peak eleven 19 minutes up on schedule.

The sun was just beginning to rise as we headed for Pike Howe and then on descent down to Kirkstone could see many head torch lights on Red Screes across the pass.

Arrived at Kirkstone car park 19 minutes up on schedule to awaiting rice pudding and hot tea, gratefully prepared by Arthur and Steve C.

Many thanks to Steve Crowe and Dave Hindley for successfully and uneventfully getting me through Leg 1.

KIRKSTONE PASS LEG 2 SATURDAY 23^rd June 2018.

AMY GRACE & STEVE WHINCUP SUPPORT

Change of top, fed & watered off we set just 8 minutes up on schedule, with the early morning sun light just breaking through. Amy led off with a sensible pace up Red Screes reaching the top in just 30 minutes. Discovered what the array of torchlights were, 7 or 8 wild camping pitches up there to photograph the sunrise.

Easy to find the trod off down to Scandale Pass and up to the tarn and off up to contour around Little Hart Crag, up to a line to contour around western edge of Dove Crag.

Climb up to Hart Crag and bag number 14. Quite a coolish breeze still in the early morning. Continued on main path with gentle jog up to Fairfield plateau. Had to move sheep out of shelter to have a little snack break before heading off down the zig zag descent, decided that way down to Grisedale Hause as we were still up on schedule. Steady plod up Seat Sandal and found the BGR trod off the top down to Dunmail. Amy ran on ahead to the road crew to check that the food was ready, as we were still up on schedule by 18 minutes.

Great to see Dave Sykes at Dunmail Raise as he had volunteered to step in at the last minute for Andy Painter who got injured just the week preceding. I know that Andy was devastated that he couldn’t be partaking on the day but I was eternally grateful for his help, week in, week out on the recce’s. Decided to use the gained time to eat plenty at Dunmail, as the availability of food at Styhead was going to be limited. Change of socks, and thanks to Winky and Amy for a good Leg 2 crossing.

DUNMAIL RAISE LEG 3 SATURDAY 23^rd JUNE 2018

DAVE SYKES & DAVE HINDLEY SUPPORT.

Off we set up Steel Fell at 7:28 am just on schedule, still coolish but bright which was good, as we didn’t want to be too hot going up Steel fell. Must admit I wasn’t looking forward to this climb with a full belly but it soon came and went listening to the two D’s banter up the climb, just 30 minutes. Found the early BGR trod but split off later to head up to High Raise. Not too boggy due to the immaculate summer that we had had in the early weeks. Dave S found a good line down to Stake Pass and then on up the ridge to Rossett Pike with another couple of Dave’s easy trods on the way. Rossett Pike reached in good time again, so decided on a good chomp on flapjacks and drinks here as we were up on schedule.

Had a couple of salt tabs too, to ward off any chance of cramp later. Headed diagonally up to Bowfell on the slab terraces. Topped Bowfell in good time again, so snacked again before heading off to Esk Pike and onward to Great End. The views were tremendous in all directions, it was a good call choosing this weekend as opposed to the previous weekend. We were conscious that we shouldn’t arrive at Styhead too far ahead of schedule in case we were ahead of the support team, and be hanging around getting cold.

Having bagged Great end, Dave S said he could find a quick route down a gully off the end to Styhead, which we found and made a careful but beneficial short cut down to arrive at Styhead a good 23 minutes up on schedule.

We were greeted at Styhead by Alan, Billy Badfoot, Winky, Steve C, Amy and Philippa the support who had walked up from Wasdale Head. Hot soup and bread followed by cake and tea went down a treat. Thanks to Dave H and Dave S for a successful Leg 3, Philippa, Billy, Winky and Dave S prepared to head back down to Wasdale having hauled everything up to the stretcher box.

Dave H (again, as he was about to support on his third stint), Alan Williams and Amy Grace (second stint) were my support on the for the final leg. Steve Crowe who had a very sore knee, had intended to join us but decided against it, as he and Amy were to be doing the LL100 next month.

STY HEAD LEG 4 SATURDAY 23^rd JUNE 2018

ALAN WILLIAMS, AMY GRACE & DAVE HINDLEY SUPPORT.

Started off up Gable, quite warm now but everything felt good apart from my hands. I had been troubled with oedema since the start of leg 3 and my hands and fingers were quite swollen. So much so that my rings felt like they were cutting my fingers in half.

Gable reached, quite busy at the top, decided to head down to Windy Gap and round Stone Cove and over to Beck Head before heading up Kirk Fell. Almost went off too soon at what we thought was the top of Kirk Fell, but quickly spotted our error and climbed a little more to the top of Kirk Fell. Still making good time, snacking and drinking well set off down to Black Sail Pass and climb up to Pillar. It’s a long haul to Pillar but could sense that the finish was getting nearer with each step. Pillar conquered just after five o’clock, more snacking keeping the engine going and headed up to Steeple. Always think this such a spectacular peak and felt good to get this one under my belt again.

Scoat Fell soon sorted and off to Haycock all the serious stuff done now, Alan remembered a good route down to the normally boggy Pots of Ashness, bone dry today though and had a great run across to the foot of Seatallan.

Nearly there, with gritted teeth (swollen hands) pushed hard up Seatallan for just turned seven o’clock on a glorious Saturday evening. The views out to the coast were amazing it made me recall what Joss had described at his talk at Buxton Opera House a few days earlier.

Fired off the top of Seatallan on a good route down that Alan & Amy found, we spotted Steve C coming out to meet us from Middle Fell, we were now 5 strong and motoring up to the final top.

Some final pics at the top of the last, number 30, Middle Fell peak of my Joss Naylor crossing and we strode off to Greendale, sore feet, swollen hands but otherwise felt brilliant. Philippa ran up to Middle Fell to meet us for the last stretch. Through the bracken on the lower slopes to Greendale and the bridge, could see the support crew and met everyone at the bridge.

SUCCESS, CROSSING COMPLETED JUNE 23^rd.

20 hours 56 minutes, 30 peaks what glorious day out with the best support team on the planet. Many thanks once again to Steve Carter, Arthur Summers road support, an unenviable task. Dave (3 Legs) Hindley, Steve Crowe, Amy (2 Legs) Grace, Steve Whincup, Dave Sykes, Alan Williams, Billy Badfoot, Philippa Tyson. Thanks to absent friends Mal Fletcher, Andy Painter and Simon Daley who gave so much to the cause but couldn’t be there on the final shout.

Also, not forgetting my wife Sandra for putting up with my absence every weekend and the sponsorship that many generous people had given to my chosen charity, The British Heart Foundation, a total of £515.00

(The photographers were Steve Crowe, Amy Grace, Steve Whincup, Bill Fergusson, Dave Hindley.)

Rosie Law (W65) - 10 June 2018

I chose to start at 10pm on Saturday June 9th but the journey really started seven months earlier when I decided to give it a go.

I reckoned walking it fast would be enough to make the 24hr time limit but I wasn’t at all sure I could keep up the speed on the steep ascents and descents. There followed several months of hill and distance training and recces of the route, alone and in a small group, going out in all weathers, always including as much ascent as possible and walking as fast as I could. The group’s encouragement was constant, and their willingness to go out in rain, wind, hail, snow, storm and even occasional sunshine through the months from November to June was astonishing! Mostly the weather was very bad but then in early summer a drought set in so that the route was very dry and bog-free for my attempt - very lucky!

Moments I remember :- in the pitch dark on the summit of High Street, very inconsiderately and not thinking of the sleeping occupants, shining our dazzling head torches on a little tent and saying loudly (several times) “ooh look there's a tent” - I hope we didn’t wake them up but we probably did. Sunrise on the way up Red Screes. The ascent of Bowfell. my family and friends all at Styhead. Seatallan - I’ve always liked the climb up Seatallan for some unaccountable reason.

My road/Styhead support was wonderful, my family made sure they could be there despite living far away and having busy lives and either walked with me or did the logistics. I had a brilliant team of pacers and helpers, they kept me going, carried more food and water than I needed just in case, they found all the routes we’d recced and some we hadn’t, they paced me up the hills and always seemed to say the right thing at the right time to keep me feeling positive.

I’m sure everyone says it but I’ll say it again, I owe my success to them, I couldn’t possibly have done it without them.

Craig Stansfield (M50) - 02 June 2018

I’m always up for a challenge, so when I turned 50 the Joss Naylor Challenge was on the list for my 50^th year.

The alarm went off at 5.15 am and we awoke at the kirkstone pass car park to thick clag. The nerves started. After a good feed we headed down to Pooley Bridge ready for a 7.00am start. I met up with Stu Stoddard and Steve Angus who were going to support me on leg 1.

After Lisa took the obligatory photos on the bridge we set off. Charlie and Joey joined us along with Steve's collie. We made good time up to Arthur's pike where we left Charlie and Joey. I’d got it into my head that I had to go quick on this leg and was already 5 minutes up at Loadpot. Realising that I may be going a little quick, Stu and Steve reeled me in and kept me to the 2.35 schedule. We were soon descending from Thornthwaite Beacon and climbing up to Stony Cove Pike. Dave Seargent met us in the clag and pointed out the trod to Pike Howe. We arrived at kirkstone a few minutes up. It was nice to see Dave Makin and Tony Shanley at the changeover with their encouraging words.

I filled myself with food and drink and tried to catch James Riley up who had set off up Red Screes just before me. I felt tired, probably because of the humidity. Catching James up we picked off another couple of tops and were soon descending Fairfield passing some Salomon clothed runners coming the other way. Time for some food and drink on the way up seat sandal and then our descent to Dunmail. We arrived at Dunmail soaked through with sweat from the humidity.

More food and drink. Including complan, coke and jam butties. Much encouragement from Lisa and Charlie and Mike Langrish, who it was nice to meet.

Jules Coleman was my support for legs 3&4. Off we went up Steel Fell, passing a group who were reccying the JNC and saying Hi. We pressed on over to High raise and over to Rossett Pike, passing a BG attempt on the way. Then came the bowfell climb. Always a tough one. I consumed another Gel and got my head down eventually reaching the summit. Jules was doing really well with the navigation in the clag. We were soon on great end. A tricky descent in the mist caused us to lose a few minutes, but we were soon at the Styhead stretcher box. Jason Craven was there to meet us with some more coke, water and food.

His encouraging words gave me a boost and after eating a satchet of baby rice we were on our way up Gable. Cramp was getting the better of my quads, so I stopped to take some pain killers and pushed on.

We were 7 minutes down on schedule at styhead, but Jules was confident I could make that back. We passed many BG attempts going the other way between Kirkfell and Steeple. Finally the clag started to lift as we got to Steeple and we had some lovely views. Just a few more tops left. Stu had given me a caffeine sweet on the first leg which I had saved for the Seatallan climb. I chewed it. It tasted awful, but give me a definite boost and we were soon at the top. One more climb which was over quickly as Jules and myself chatted about anything and everything. I can't explain the feeling on the last top. It was amazing. A very quick descent and we were at the bridge in Greendale. Where My awesome road support team Lisa and Charlie and Joey met us.

I managed to get round inside my schedule too 11.29.

Big thanks to my support crew. Jules, Stu, Steve, Dave, James, Jason. Who I couldn't have completed this challenge without. Most of all I’d like to thank Lisa, who’s support on these challenges is second to none. I couldn't do it without her. Thanks to Charlie who inspires me with his enthusiasm for fell running. Thanks to Joey the best dog in the world.

(all photos by Lisa Stansfield)

Dave Harrison (M55) - 05 May 2018

It's just gone 4am as I wander along the narrow lane. The valley air is filled with the growing dawn chorus and on either side sheep stir in dew covered fields. For the second time in as many days I watch as the dawn light seeps over the adjacent Lakeland hills and grows ever brighter. It's different though. Yesterday's dawn was soaked in anticipation, nerves and a need to deliver. Today's has a glow of satisfaction, the reminders of a great day in the hills, of a good job well done, of splits that were met, beaten, smashed and of a Shepherd’s Hand that was shook in the glorious sunshine of a May afternoon.

A day of great chat and many laughs and the only minor drama being when we cantered through Styhead with the resupply team still ten minutes down the valley (oops!) but the quick thinking and selfless legs of two supporters ensured that all was right by Black Sail. I could bore you with a pile of stats, of lines taken but it was simply a day when the hard work paid off, the legs sung, the gods smiled and with the help of some great friends a required sub 15 became a 12.22. A day to treasure in years to come. Thank you to all that made it possible.

Leg 1 (photo: Jules Coleman)

Approaching Greendale Bridge (photo:Paula Furnival)

With Joss (photo: Carol Morgan)

Greendale Bridge (photo: Paula Furnival)