Ken Taylor (M70) - 24 August 2020

 After over sleeping & being woken by my support team I set off 21 minutes later than originally intended.

The day weather wise started off great, high cloud cover & a pleasant temperature ideal for running. Unfortunately things didn’t stay that way.

Mid way through the second leg the weather deteriorated to being cold wet & windy. By the time I got to Styhead I was freezing but after eating hot soup & coffee I changed into an extra dry Lifa & donned another layer of waterproofs + warm a hat with ear covering.

Happy to that I arrived at the Greendale Bridge in a time of 14 hours 22 minutes.

Karl Gray (M50) - 18 August 2020

 

Scoffer enquired last year at the start of autumn when I was turning 50? And ‘had I thought about doing the Joss Naylor Challenge’(JNC)? ‘Yes’ was my reply but I hadn’t really looked into it. I decided at that point to try make an attempt on the day of my 50^th birthday. Scoff was confident I could go for the record (his record!) and offered his support. Unfortunately it turned out to be a very wet autumn so my attempt was shelved for the following year.

2020 was my first year as a vet 50 and I had all the British and English championship races pencilled in on the calendar. The JNC was never far from my thoughts and was looking at when I could fit an attempt into what was a very busy race and recovery schedule. Then Covid hit and everything was off! As the travel restrictions were being eased and the Fell championship races had been cancelled I started to focus my thoughts on when it would be possible to safely and responsibly make an attempt at the JNC. I kept in touch with Ian Charters to get a feel for when attempts would be allowed? Finally news that Joss would make an announcement regards attempts towards the end of July. Joss subsequently allowed attempts to commence from the 25^th July with the appropriate social distancing measures in place. I had kept myself fit throughout lockdown but didn’t have any mountain running in my legs. I was still keen to make an attempt as soon as I could but Scoffer wisely suggested I wait a bit longer and get some more mountain running in. Turned out to be great advice! Making an attempt without Scoffer involved was out of the question. Therefore, I arranged my attempt for after he had returned from his holiday and also selected a midweek day to minimise contact with the hoards of weekend Lakeland tourists.

I was constantly searching for favourable weather forecasts in the days leading up to my attempt. Thunderstorms were initially looking likely and it was looking like another delay might be required. I had seen pictures of Mike Robinson’s attempt in the sun and heat and reminded myself to be careful what I wished for. The forecast of thunderstorms thankfully subsided but were replaced with a day of Lakeland rain. Not to be deterred I at least took the positive that at least it would be cool conditions and decided to go for it.

Driving up early on the day was an introduction to what I’d be in for…Rain! I arrived at Pooley Bridge 30 mins before the start but from the wrong side and the bridge was closed! Oh no! A mini panic ensued on where to park the car? It didn’t take long though and I soon arrived at Ben’s and Kirsty’s campervan in the main car park in plenty of time to get changed and prepared.

I set off on leg 1 supported by my good friends Ben Mounsey and Gav Mullholland. I was setting off on a 10 hour 15 minute schedule which was Scoffer’s record time. I had found out from my earlier recces that keeping to this schedule is certainly not to be taken lightly. The conditions soon deteriorated and I knew I’d have my work cut out. Ben and Gav were on strict orders not to let me get carried away and try to stick closely to the schedule. My plan was to save my legs in order to try and push on on legs 3 and 4. Despite the weather I felt I had a relaxing first leg with no mishaps arriving at Kirkstone pass a surprising 12 minutes up on schedule.

Leg 2 resposibility was given to more of my good friends and CVFR team mates Daz Kay and Shaun Godsman. There was never a consideration of anyone other than Daz navigating this leg. His obsession and dedication to Hodgson Brothers Mountain Relay leg 3 is unequalled!! And he knows pretty much every blade of grass on these hills. His knowledge was invaluable in the claggy wet conditions and with Shaun looking after my hydration and food intake we didn’t put a foot wrong thus I arrived in Dunmail raise feeling in great shape and 13 minutes up on schedule. All going to plan.

Leg 3 is where Scoffer and Math Roberts would take over. This leg is certainly where this route starts to get serious. The terrain starts to ramp up in its severity and fatigue is starting to build. Math asked me if I wanted to be kept informed of my split times? I replied ‘only if I start to drop of the pace’ and at that point Scoffer said not to worry about the splits as we’d be making time not losing it! Math was meticulous in making sure I was eating and drinking enough and Scoffer’s navigation was awesome to witness! I knew these legs pretty well from the recces I’d done but in those conditions I would have struggled to nav and stay on route never mind keep to the schedule. We had a brief discussion on the climb to Great end regards dropping straight off or back tracking to Esk hause and running around and down the path. We decided we were fell runners and would just drop off Great end. It is certainly not for the faint hearted but scoffer again picked a great line off and my legs were still feeling good so we made good time to Styhead. At this point Math informed me I was 38 minutes up on schedule which took me completely by surprise. My initial hope of possibly going under the 10 hour mark was now certainly on!

Scoffer and Math were always going to be doing both leg 3 and 4 with Ben making the trip up to Styhead to refuel us. However, with our surprisingly quick progress we arrived prior to our support team and had to push on. We’d worked out that we just about had enough food and we’d be able to fill some bottles from the stream coming off Gable on the way up. Think Scoff regretted this decision filling the bottles and then trying to catch us back up. Again Scoff’s nav was superb and Math was doing a good job of rationing food to keep us all going. I had the last gel on the way up Seatallan just in time as this is where for the first time all day my legs started to complain. I recovered enough to make the climb and final descent of Middle Fell a pleasure arriving at Greendale Bridge at 5.32pm. Total time of 9 hours 32 minutes.

Distance challenges and the support it brings from the fell running community is special. This was certainly reflected in the support and commitment Scoffer the record holder had given me! The covid restrictions didn’t affect my attempt as it was always going to be minimal and kept under the radar of social media. Even Thirza Hyde didn’t know about it until the day!!

I might have my name on the record but I couldn’t have achieved this without my good friends and club mates to whom I am truly grateful! Ben Mounsey, Gav Mullholland, Ben Frechette, Mark O’Connor, Kirsty Hall, Emma Smyth, Daz Kay, Shaun Godsman, Helen Buchan, Math Roberts and Andrew ‘Scoffer’ Schofield.

John Fletcher (M55) - 15 August 2020

Jonathan Whitaker (M55) - 14 August 2020

There is an old adage which says ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun’ – too true, too true….

As with a lot of people I think the COVID furlough had meant I’d been able to get out more such that it felt I’d done sufficient training to now give the JNC a go. It had been hot all week, very hot, but the weather was due to change to rain in the coming days so, with a minimum support crew, including Helene my wife and two daughters Lexi age 16 and Eve age 15, we were off.

Pooley Bridge

05.00 am at Pooley Bridge in the semi-dark. With Helene and Eve as pacers we soon discarded torches as we gained height on the High Street spine with a thick cloud inversion below over Ullswater and to the South. A sliver of moon and cooling wind in a clearing blue sky accompanied us to Kirkstone.

Arthur's Pike

Descending Red Screes

Ascent to Fairfield

Great friend Gary Baum substituted for the ladies and we made good time over Red Screes before rising again above the fog rolling through Scandale Pass to reach Fairfield now in stark sunshine. The promise of a stifling day hinted as we descended to Dunmail and entered the hot moist air rising from the bracken.

A quick transition and Steel Fell came and went accompanied now by Phil Blanshard and Alex Heron who had kindly stepped in to help at short notice. We were making decent time but the oppressive heat started taking its toll on the ascent up High Raise. Things improved going up Bow Fell after which we made steady but slow pace through the baking glaring white stones of Esk Pike and Great End to arrive at Sty Head to meet my last leg stalwart Jane Meeks (12 hours 17 minutes herself on the JNC) and my eldest daughter Lexi.

Dunmail Transition

Leaving Dunmail

Ascending Steel Fell

Great Gable was the killer. 3 o’clock in the afternoon now and sun full over head with no wind. Jane and Lexi did an admiral job of coaxing me on and keeping me hydrated; up and over Gable, up and over Kirk Fell before arriving on Pillar having lost my earlier time advantage but now back on schedule exactly. 

Finishing

With ten minutes to spare we touched the bridge and celebrated with a socially distanced celebration and swim in the river.

Many thanks to my pacers and supporters for giving up their time and helping me achieve this goal - a great day out. It was a privilege to run with Helene and the girls. Who knows, perhaps they will remember this day with their dad and will be inspired themselves to give it a go when they come of age.

Stuart Stoddart (M50) - 06 August 2020

I’d first planned on attempting the JNC two years ago on my 50^th birthday but three weeks before the attempt I had to postpone due to getting injured.

Two years later and after a good training block that included numerous Ullswater Ways, a Ullswater Round and all the Lakeland 3000s I set a date to attempt the JNC once again. The lockdown certainly helped my preparation but I had to wait till Joss and Ian Charters would allow runners to attempt the challenge again as it had been forbidden during the lockdown period. Finally word came out that the challenge was allowed once more but no more than two pacers per leg, no hill support from friends and family and no welcome from Joss at the end. I was fine with all the requirements and totally understood why.

My good running mate Craig Smith had been thinking about his own JNC for a while now and he too decided that he would make an attempt on the same day as well; it meant that we could share pacers and road support.

The morning of the attempt arrived and as we met our pacers in Pooley Bridge we could feel the heat and humidity rising. Leg 1 is all fairly runnable and you could easily get carried away. Instead we ran at a steady pace but marched the steeper climbs. Our Support on Legs 1&2 were the Eden lads (Jack, Scott and Wayne) and they made sure we were eating and drinking. The underfoot conditions were wet and that coupled with the heat made it all bit energy sapping. By the time we had arrived at Stoney Cove Pike we were in thick mist which made the finding of Pike Howe a bit trickier but Jack had ran ahead a bit and found the line to it without us stressing too much. All that was left to do was pick our way down to the support vehicle at Kirkstone where Simon was waiting with fresh water.

After a couple of minutes of filling our bottles we were climbing Red Screes and the humidity was increasing. Craig only likes the heat if he’s on holiday and I could tell he was struggling a bit on the climb but hoped once we got up high the temperature might drop and he would pick up a bit.

On our way to Hart Crag, Craig decided the heat was too much and told me to carry on without him. I was absolutely gutted for him and tried to get him to change his mind but he was adamant he was going to stop at Dunmail. Scott, Jack and myself left Wayne with Craig and we ran on ahead and we were soon dropping into Dunmail. Craig arrived shortly after and wished me luck for the remainder of the day.

Leg 3 was all Craig’s pacers and I’m glad he chose Richard, James and Brian, for they made the crossing to Styhead Tarn very enjoyable. Ironically, we now had cloud cover but the humidity was still high. The ground on this leg was still very boggy in places and James kept overtaking me on his back side on the descents which amused me greatly. Brian was doing the Nav’ whilst Rich and James made sure I was eating and drinking. I was amazed when Brian revealed he was 65 – I hope I’m running as well at him at 65. Great End was eventually reached and after a horrible bit of descending I was at the Stretcher Box at Styhead.

By this point I was spent, and with only 4 hours left to finish I was beginning to doubt I would beat the 12 hour time limit. My pacers for Leg 4 really got the short straw. I doubt I would’ve finished but for Lee finding the best line on the front and Mark always just a step behind me who was constantly passing me water, sweets and endlessly encouraging me. I was still climbing well and once off Gable Lee made sure I ran all the flats and all the slopes. The clag had set in now and it even started to rain whilst climbing Pillar. My worst moment was on the climb to Seatallan, but again the lads somehow coaxed me up to the summit. Before long we were Descending Middle Fell and I was pleased to see Craig standing with Simon on the Bridge. Thanks to Lee and Mark’s great support we did Leg 4 in 3hr 27mins and touched Greendale Bridge 11 hours and 35 minutes after leaving Pooley Bridge.

It would not have been possible without the help of all my support crew who gave up their day so I could have mine. Thanks lads.

Tim Laney (M60) - 01 August 2020

Charlie (M70) & Emma (F65) Pascal - 01 August 2020

 

The idea of doing the Joss Naylor challenge was suggested by daughters Beth and Fi and their husbands Matt B and Matt M. We had heard of Joss but not his challenge; we had been interested in the Bob Graham round and thought these rounds were only for the young and ultra fit! We usually spend a few days walking in the lakes in the autumn and had done some reccying in November last year. Enjoying a bit of off road running on the Quantocks and Exmoor, and a marathon or 2 we tentatively agreed that it would be a way of celebrating our ruby wedding (no big parties allowed!). But training did not escalate at all as planned due to both getting various injuries and the Lake District being closed with Covid. We were seriously worried we would not complete it and disappoint the family who had organised it for us and travelled up to support, especially after Beth’s record breaking Bob Graham run.

So a week before, we booked a camp site, ordered some larger size trainers and thicker socks as advised, cooked quantities of Ashbourne gingerbreads (good for the stomach?) and seedy, nutty flapjacks. Matt B got the 22hr 50 min schedule, and the family decided who would support on each leg.

So Charlie and I, with Fi, Matt B and Dingo the Kelpie, who did the whole round, as navigators and pack horses, set off from Pooley bridge at 10pm Friday. It was raining before we left the holiday park but modified into wet cloud as we ascended. Dingo was excited by the wildlife she found, chasing a badger almost between our legs. Despite poor visibility and feeling a bit wet and cold the peaks came and went quickly (with Dingo’s help – she always seemed to know the right path), and we felt good after a scramble down to Kirkstone and hot coffee; pleased that we were ahead of the 22hr 50 schedule.

A change of pacers for leg 2 – Beth, Matt M, and Dibble the Cocker spaniel. It was lovely to see the dawn break and occasional gaps in the cloud to reveal Grisedale tarn and fells beyond.

Dunmail Raise for hot savoury drink and cheese sandwich, then quickly on with Fi, Matt B, Kirsty and Tryfan, another Kelpie. Undoubtedly what kept us going as the legs got longer and ascents higher was the constant badgering to eat and drink – flapjacks, gingerbreads, gels and fluid. It was gorgeous high on the mountains, cheerful encouraging chatter with family and friends, our legs holding up, and the dogs having the time of their lives!

Met the welcoming party at Styhead pass and on to the long last leg. The sun came out so we could doff our jackets for a while. We were maintaining a good pace; mostly walking but jogging the downhills, and knowing that we would make the finish!

We were thrilled to clock a time of 19hrs 50 mins, and to meet Joss Naylor at Greendale bridge; thank you for inspiring us to keep running and to raise money for our Minehead running club’s charity of the year ‘Charlie’s challenge”, to buy a special incubator for Taunton’s neonatal unit.