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

Yvonne Williams (W55) - 10 September 2022

This journey began in the spring of 2019, when my running consisted of 4 miles along the River Mersey on a Saturday morning and the odd ride to work, still pretending I was the person I used to be…..which I very much wasn’t.

I missed the hills so much, but more than that, I missed being around my friends and the lovely people in Pennine. I took pleasure in scrolling through people’s adventures on Facebook and thinking how lucky they were.

Fast forward to October 2019, I had lost weight over the summer, (as my son had pointed out, “you were a bit bigger than normal, Mum”) moved to Macclesfield and hit the hills, hard. I had started going out with the club again on a Thursday and had met a whole new bunch of reprobates that had joined while I’d been away. I felt like a real newbie but by God did that first run over Lantern Pike and back over the moor bring me back to life. Chatting to Rob and Roly, on a blue skied, crystal clear late summer’s evening, stood at the Shooting Cabin whilst JoBo snapped us all, it was the perfect start back with the club.

I decided that having a goal would keep me going through the winter. Whilst I was still a proper runner, the Joss Naylor wasn’t talked about much, or maybe it just wasn’t on my radar because I was still fairly “young”, but it seemed the perfect thing to aim for and when I realised that it involved raising at least £100 for a charity, the obvious choice was the fund set up in memory of Margaret Jones to raise money for some stroke rehabilitation equipment. It was Margaret who converted me from a walker to a runner with those now precious 8 little words “if I ‘an do it, Von, you can”. Maybe that should be my next tattoo?

Speed work, hill reps, bike rides and longer runs straight from the door obviously brought on an injury. Why wouldn’t it for goodness sake?

Recovery runs, Covid and a slightly less “full on” approach lead me to the start of the summer of 2022. A magnificent summer of longer races (we won’t speak about the trip to Jura in that particular year), many van trips the Lakes with Emma and the dogs, running and also recceing each leg (apart from Leg 4) and some fabulous long runs from home and then the date was set - Saturday 10th September, 5am start.

A motley crew of eight friends for on the hill and campervan support by Dave & Emma was arranged and the date came around quickly. With one eye on the weather in the week before, and the feeling of fighting off a cold, before I knew it I was sat in Emma’s van, with a strange feeling of chilled anxiety, heading up the M6 towards the campsite at Cross Dormant on the Eastern side of Ullswater.

The forecast was for a misty start but the promise of better visibility as the day passed - and it was spot on. Drinks bottles filled, hill food and spare clothing handed to Martin. A delicious plateful of pasta lead to a fairly early night and the hope of some sleep.

The 4am alarm came round quickly and after a breakfast of yogurt, homemade granola, bananas and honey we set off to Pooley Bridge and the 5am start. I felt fit and healthy and ready for the day but had a nagging doubt that the pace wouldn’t be fast enough to keep up with the schedule. Go steady over the runnable leg 1, eat on every climb and drink as much as possible and just enjoy it - that was the plan.

Leg 1 - Pooley Bridge to Kirkstone Pass

After the obligatory photo shoot on the bridge, stood between Ian and Martin, we set off over the car park to pick up the footpath leading towards the road and Park Foot Campsite. It was at this point I realised that I’d left the water bottles on the back seat of the van! It was too late to go back so Ian offered to share his Vimto with me. After an unplanned tour of Park Foot campsite, which does look remarkably different in the darkness, we reached the path up to Barton Fell and on to Arthur’s Seat.

The clag was down and it became obvious that the September sunrise was not going to be visible on this day.

It wasn’t cold but there was the chill in the air that comes from running in early morning mist. 

The first leg starts with a real Peak District feeling of peaty moorland running gradually building up to High Street and Thornthwaite Crag where the proper Lakeland running begins.

The headtorch lighting and misty moorland running were taking its toll on the supremely fit but visually challenged Martin and he dropped ever further behind unsure of his footing on his pinned ankle. Unfortunately, Martin had all of my food and spare kit, so the plan to eat on every climb, no matter how short, couldn’t happen. So, two shared bars from Ian and a most of his Vimto, and hands up my sleeves to keep the chill off, and all was good.

The misty conditions before sunrise made the nav a bit tricky for Ian and myself but we made good progress and before we knew it we were on High Street in the light. Still misty, it made the going over Thornthwaite Beacon and round to Pike Howe very atmospheric. With a great line off St Raven’s Edge, thanks to Ian & Martin’s recce and several Hodgson Relays, we came out of the mist and saw the vans and people waiting at the Kirkstone car park. 14 minutes up on the planned 15:40 schedule and feeling really happy, it was heart-warming to see so many lovely people waiting for us. I was feeling really good and after the pre ordered toast and coffee and a change of thermal, I was ready for the climb up Red Screes and back into the mist.

A chap who had successfully completed the JNLC had made the effort to get to the Kirkstone car park and his enthusiasm was so encouraging he made me even happier than I already felt.

Leg 2 - Kirkstone to Dumail Raise

I’d never used poles to run with until the Fellsman, and I found they helped with a metronomic rhythm which helped to keep me moving and I’d decided they would be really useful from Kirkstone onwards - and they were. The friendly chatter of Richard and Roly made that daunting climb from the car park pass quickly however towards the top of Red Screes I had a couple of bouts of cramp. The next mile or so had me force fed electrolyte sachets and water as Richard and Roly displayed a masterclass of navigational skills through the thick mist to reach each of the 4 summits with such precision that we had gained another 5 minutes on the schedule and as we descended off Seat Sandal, we left the mist behind for the last time and headed down to Dunmail in the sunshine and more smiley faces. 

Leg 3 - Dunmail to Sty Head

After a ready made pasta pot and another coffee, a change of top (green to match Andy & Ellie) and a smothering of suncream from Ellie whilst doing all of those things, I was ready for the next leg with the promise of cold pizza and flat coke as well as my peanut butter and jam sandwiches - the latter much to Andy’s disgust.

Apart from the climb up Bowfell later on this leg, the drag over to High Raise was the only part of the whole day that I didn’t quite enjoy - the trudge over from Codale Head seemed to go on forever and High Raise, whilst it was another tick, is such an indistinct mound however the chatty company, excellent menu choices and astounding navigation had my spirits back up in no time.

Rossett Pike came and went and then we were plodding up Bowfell. Whilst this was a bit of a tough climb, the top was a welcome sight and the run over to Esk Pike and on to Great End was possibly the best I felt during the day and Ellie’s nav, backed up by Andy, was spot on. I had in the back of my mind that this leg would be a bit of a make or break. I thought I’d have a good idea of whether I would be successful or not by the time I got to Ore Gap, I felt like we were moving fairly well and to be in amongst the big mountains just felt so good. At Great End we were 30 minutes up on the schedule. All discussions leading up to this day seemed to focus on the descent off this top and I can understand why. I’m not the greatest of descenders but I was determined that this small part of such a big day out wasn’t going worry me! Well, it was particularly horrid and I was particularly pathetic and by the last changeover at Sty Head I was 20 minutes ahead, losing ten minutes on the descent! 

The first two legs had me running with old or familiar friends and I hadn’t really spent much time in the hills with these two youngsters, but what a dream team they were. Such absolutely gorgeous, selfless friendly human beings - they set me up for a fantastic final leg.

Leg 4 - Sty Head to Greendale Bridge

Geoff, Sue, Emma, Laura and Gwen were a very welcome sight with their smiley faces, each of them fairly sure that this would be an enjoyable time in some fairly quiet hills.

Andy headed off down to Wasdale with Gwen and Ellie stayed with us on the climb up Great Gable. I’d been up this climb on the Borrowdale race a few weeks earlier, but it was in the mist and I really couldn’t see too much but what a B@@@@@d of a climb it is, especially harder when you can actually see it! To be honest, the chatty banter had this over fairly swiftly and the appearance of Jack (Mr Ellie) as we reached the top was a nice surprise. Ellie headed off with Jack, Emma headed back down to Wasdale which left myself, Laura, Geoff and Super Sue. Once again, the astounding navigation ability of Sue, backed up by Geoff had us take the best lines and Sue’s epic descent to get water and climb back up to meet us will never be forgotten. On the little detour up Steeple we bumped into Allen Bunyan from Macc Harriers who was supporting a speedy looking chap on what proved to be a very successful BG. It was good to stop for a very quick chat however the sherpas were soon on my case to keep moving.

I hadn’t recced this leg, I was going with the element of surprise! Although I had spent a fair amount of time in these hills as a teenager doing the Duke of Edinburgh with Dave, so had distant memories of them. They did used to be a lot flatter, I think!

The banter continued and before we knew it the sun was setting after a truly amazing day of perfect weather, from Seat Sandal at least.

Laura managed to combine encouragement and photography skills and the photos of Sue, Geoff and me, heading over towards Seatallan, with the sun starting to set are to her great credit. That view is etched in my memory forever and the photo is on my wall – it makes me smile every time I look at it and will do so forever.

It wasn’t until the descent of Seatallan that my knees started to ache and I was glad that this was the last real descent. On the trot over to Middle Fell I felt so happy knowing that we would be successful, even though my knees had started to hurt, the end was in sight.

Ian and Andy came up to join us for the last mile or so, and the sight of headtorches waiting at the bridge – it’s a feeling and view that I will never tire of remembering. Neither Joss, nor Postman Pat were amongst those headtorch wearers, but I didn’t miss them.

I was feeling quite tired but still relatively strong – until I stopped at the bridge - then I think I fainted standing up! Sweaty cuddle, a very hot shower and a good night’s sleep followed.

I was going to call this article A Princess For a Day, because I was looked after so well, and everyone involved was so enthusiastic and encouraging, from the moment they so readily agreed to be part of it, until I reached Greendale Bridge.

I had a fabulous summer and really enjoyed the build up to my Joss Naylor. I wanted to have a really enjoyable day out in the hills with friends, and that’s exactly how it turned out. It was truly the best day!

So the moral has to be, do the training and with a fair wind, you will be successful. If I can do it, you can!

The Cast and Crew

Executive Director/Logistics – Dave Jones

Best Supporting Actor/Chief Feeder and van driver/company for the reccies – Emma Beveridge (& Lola)

Leg 1 – Martin Mavin & Ian Warhurst

Leg 2 – Paul Roland & Richard Topliss

Leg 3 – Andy Campbell & Ellie Johnson

Leg 4 – Geoff Briggs, Laura Iredale & Sue Johnson (plus Em Bev and for a bit)

Extras – Karen, Janet, Mrs Roly for allowing use of Mr Roly, Helen & Emily and everyone else who donated.

£700 was raised by some amazingly generous people which was split between Margaret’s Charity and MND Assoc.

THE END

Simon Patton (M55) - 24 September 2022

Back in 2018, myself and fellow Dark Peakers, Jon Morgan and John Boyle, all agreed that as MV50’s we would have a joint attempt at a low key JNC in the late summer for 2019. Injury meant that John Boyle and myself missed out on Jon’s run in September that year, and then Covid spoilt our fun the following year. In September 2021, John completed his JNC and I had to settle for supporting him on legs 1 and 2 (as the fitness wasn’t back to normal following yet another injury). Both Jon and John got round in under 12hours and so the pressure was on for me to deliver on our agreement. However, the day-out with John and friends was enough to ensure that I committed to a September 2022 attempt as a first year MV55.

After a gloriously hot summer, I wasn’t optimistic of a warm, clear, and sunny day out over the Lakeland fells late in September. However, the weather gods were on my side on the 24^th September and the forecast was near perfect – mid to high teens with clag above 600m for legs 1 and 2, clearing by lunchtime to leave a sunny afternoon, with a gentle breeze all day.

Leg 1 Supporters: Stephen Pyke and Andrew Schofield

After a meet up in the car park next to Pooley Bridge, we are off just a few mins late. The light of dawn is sufficient to see where we are going meaning that we don’t need our head torches as we head out on to the open fell. We’re on an 11:49 schedule and all goes to plan although we overshoot the turn off to Rampsgill Head and end up having to cut across country to pick it up. Despite this small mistake, we get to Kirkstone just one minute down on schedule (2:51 hrs) where we are greeted by other members of the support team including Greg Rimmer. Despite feeling good on this leg, trouble is brewing – my stomach has shut down already and I’m feeling sick! I can’t stop thinking of the torrid time I had on my Bob Graham back in 2010 as a consequence of the same thing happening – surely not again….

Leg 2 Supporters: Stephen Pyke and Andrew Schofield

We leave Kirkstone after a quick 2 minute stop – that’s 3 minutes of schedule time banked for later. The climb up Red Screes is harder than it should be but by the time we get to the top I’ve perked up. Eating is out of the question, but I do manage a few dried apricots, as well as plenty of sports drink. The rest of the leg is uneventful, and we get to Dunmail five minutes down on schedule (1:55 hrs). I’d planned 5 mins at Dunmail but it turns into eight as I struggle to hold any food or liquid down, it eventually coming back out the way it went in!

Leg 3 Supporters: John Boyle, Paul Stopford and Jon Morgan

The skies have cleared and the sun’s out. The climb up Steel fell is always hard but my legs are feeling OK and the casual banter from John, Paul and Jon helps me to forget about feeling sick. We lose a few more mins on the legs to High Raise and Rosset Pike but the benefits from Paul’s bottle of flat coke start to turn things around and I’m climbing well up Bowfell, Esk Pike and Great End. We take the direct line off the back end of Great End and end up slightly too far right as we try to pick up the ridge line running down to Sty Head. Once we’re back on track we get to Sty Head 16 mins down on schedule (3:26 hrs) and decide to carry on to leg 4 without stopping, allowing me to claw back 5 minutes on the schedule.

Leg 4 Supporters: Mike Nolan, Andy Barnett and Jon Morgan

John and Paul depart us and hand over to Mike and Andy. Jon Morgan is feeling good and has decided to carry on to the end. As we climb Great Gable, my climbing legs are still feeling good despite not eating properly since leg 1. We nail the line off the back of Gable and make good progress up Kirk Fell and Pillar too – four more minutes clawed back on schedule. I’m starting to tire on the Scoat Fell to Haycock legs and we lose all the time gained earlier – it’s going to be touch and go to get to Greendale Bridge under 12 hours! We get the line wrong coming off Haycock and end up having to cut back to pick up the obvious trod that runs across the Pots of Ashness towards Seatallan. Despite this mistake, I’m running strongly, and Jon and I manage to drop Mike and Andy as we start the penultimate climb, neutralising the time lost on the previous 3 tops. The final climb up Middle fell is over quickly (another 7 mins gained) and we’ve pulled back a further 4 mins on the descent by the time we arrive at Greendale Bridge (3:44 hrs).

In the end I clocked 11:57 – job done and delivery of the final part of the tripartite agreement I had with John and Jon back in 2018. Joss unfortunately wasn’t there to greet me, but my fantastic support team were. Thank you to Spyke, Scoffer, John, Paul, Jon, Mike, Andy and Greg for a memorably grand day out on the wonderful lakeland hills - I couldn’t have done it without you!

For all you V50+’s thinking of having a go at the Joss Naylor Challenge – do commit to it. It’s a wonderful high level route across the lakeland fells and well worth the effort. Best of all though is to make a proper day out of it with your pals – you definitely won’t regret it!

Mike Hitchmough (M55) - 03 September 2022

Whilst talking to Joss at this year’s Buttermere Horseshoe, I took the opportunity to ask him if he had any tips for completing his challenge. “Aye lad,” he replied, “lengthen yer stride.”

So with those words of wisdom ringing in my ears, I set a date for early September. Two days before my attempt, I almost called it off due to a forecast of rain, clag and high winds. Delaying it wouldn’t guarantee any better conditions and would only reduce the window for daylight, so I decided to go for it and just deal as best I could with the conditions on the day. As it turned out, the weather (for once) was kind to us.

Leg 1. Pacer Dan Miller. I’d been warned of the price you pay later on for going off too fast on the ‘runnable’ Leg 1. I was even told of some taking a casual 3hrs to get to Kirkstone and then go on to finish sub-12hrs. This advice seemed to occupy my every thought and stride as we set off at 6am in the half-light climbing through the caravan site and on to the fells. The self-restraint didn’t last long however as I arrived at Arthur’s Pike 4mins ahead of schedule! The pace felt fine and with a combination of fast hiking and running to conserve energy and we made good progress across the summits that came thick and fast, spooking a few early–rising wild campers along the way. Leaving Kidsty Pike, we got carried away contouring around the top of the valley and had to quickly alter our course to take in Rampsgill Head! At the final summit Pike Howe, whilst Dan was struggling to record the split with a 3H pencil on soggy paper, I pressed on and took my preferred line descending diagonally off St. Raven’s Edge arriving at Kirkstone a good minute or so ahead of Dan who kept high taking the path along the ridge. It’s a great tradition for previous completers to meet contenders on route and it was lovely to see Rainer Burchett at Kirkstone – I recognised him from a friend’s attempt a few years ago.

Leg 2. Pacer Dan Miller. Dan is young and strong and was therefore good for two solo legs. He pulled me up Red Screes and led the way up Bakestones Moss by keeping to the path. I tried to cut the corner but it was a bad call across the heavy-going open fell. Pulling me back in to line, he got me over to Fairfield with relative ease. Once on the BG route beyond Fairfield, I felt on familiar ground but standing at the foot of Seat Sandal in daylight (normally it’s the middle of the night), I was struck by how big it appeared. I always enjoy the descent off Seat Sandal (maybe it’s the thought of tea with sugar at Dunmail) and once we’d hit the summit Dan let me go, arriving just ahead of schedule.

Leg 3. Pacers. Tash Fellowes, Maria Cook, Chris Usher. I always knew Leg 3 was going to be the ‘make or break’ leg and so it was a big help that all of my pacers were either BG or Joss completers (or both). Sure enough it wasn’t long before I had my first bad patch towards the top of Steel Fell with the second hitting me on the slog up to High Raise. Maybe I’d overdone in on Legs 1 & 2 – who knows? I dug deep and knew, through my training I that I could get through these low points if I just took it easy for a moment, collected my thoughts, took on food drink (that flat Coke was amazing Tash) and listened to the warm words of encouragement from my pacers. On both occasions, my pacers read the signs and without asking, Maria would take my pack, Chris would talk me round and with Tash leading the way with some great lines up Bowfell and off Great End (the way only an Achille Ratti runner can), I felt good again and we were back on it.

Leg 4. Pacers. Guy Illingworth, Bill Beckett.

I knew at Sty Head that we’d lost time on Leg 3 and a sub-12hr finish was unlikely but I felt OK and was determined to give it my all. The climb up Great Gable was pretty comfortable and we made good time although the descent down the slippery scree was slower than I’d hoped. Guy was solid upfront navigating and Bill kept close by, merrily cajoling me along (as only Bill can) whilst feeding me sweets. We made good progress over the rest of the leg, even making up a small amount of time. We took the more runnable line off Haycock, avoiding the scree and boulders to the south with a good run across Pot of Ashness. On the tough climb up Seatallan I started to wonder if Joss would be at Greendale and began to worry that my wife - waiting at the bridge and not being the fell running type – might casually ask him what he was doing and if he was from round here? As we tipped over the 12-hr mark on the final climb up Middle Fell, I told Guy that on my last recce I’d done the final descent in 17mins. “Ah not today Mike” he responded. All three of us hammered it down the twisting rocky path, through the bracken and touched the bridge just 16mins later in a time of 12hr 25min.

Sadly, Joss wasn’t feeling up to it but at least I didn’t have to make any awkward apologies on my wife’s behalf! A big thanks to all my support crew, Dave Troman of Love to Run Coaching and of course, my wife.

Jim Thompson (M55) - 03 September 2022

So, in 2020 I thought I am 52, running well and the Joss Naylor challenge in under 12 hrs seems very feasible! Then came Covid and scuppered that.

I thought I would try again in 2021 then Covid and lockdowns continued so going to have to wait another year.

So come 2022, helping on 2 BGR’s and being sensible for probably the first time in my life I thought wait till your 55 in July and have the luxury of 15hrs to complete just in case you cannot get under 12hrs!!!

Training started recceing routes, helping on 2 successful BGR’s and I was feeling good – starting to think I could outdo Keith Woods time of just under 11hrs 30mins.

I had also run Offa’s dyke in a week with Gemma, so my stamina was good.

September the 3^rd was to be the day and with a great support team around me from Saltwell Harriers I was set to go. Starting time of 5:30 and tried not to look at the weather reports too much in the week leading up to it, but it was forecast for rain, low cloud and windy – great!

I started leg 1 with Seb and Kev and was seen off by my road crew, Gemma and a couple of the guys and the weather could not have been better. No visibility issues and had a nice run in the early morning warmth with daylight coming just before Arthurs Pike. The rest of the leg was great and got to Kirkstone about 20 mins down on schedule.

The support crew were there with everything in hand, and it was a pleasure to be met by Rainer Burchett – a JNC ambassador who offered wise words about ‘just enjoying the day’.

Full of porridge and tea, clean top and off up Red Screes with Fred, Simon and Davey and started feeling tired, cramping so badly at times I felt like I had been shot by a sniper! Got through the leg with no nav issues and down to Dunmail a few more minutes down on schedule but ok.

Onto leg 3 and struggling to eat but set off up Steel Fell with Keith, Rob and Andy and still feeling tired. I was having doubts now about completing but thoughts of Sarah Garrett and the struggles she had with cancer and knew I had to press on – I certainly couldn’t give up knowing what she went through!

Leg 3 is the leg I knew least well but I knew I could rely on Keith Woods navigation skills but standing at Calf Crag Andy asked why it wasn’t on the pace card – because it’s not part of the JNC was my reply – Keith’s face was a picture and my excuse for not beating his time was set in stone! The rest of the leg was tough - I continued cramping up, struggled to eat and rain and low cloud came in before High raise until after Bow Fell so there were hard trudges up those summits – I wasn’t in a happy place! We found the good line off Great end though, so I was glad to get down to Sty head about an hour down but ready for the last leg.

Fed watered and a new top on and I set off up Gable with Paul, Gemma, and Peter. Still feeling tired but knowing I was on the last leg gave me a great buzz and my support crew certainly kept me eating and talking and we started steadily ticking off the tops. Even a heavy rain shower on Pillar didn’t dampen my spirits and we were soon looking at the looming lump of Seatallan and the last top of Middle Fell just behind it.

We all trooped up to that last summit, rain jacket off, Saltwell vest on and the adrenaline kicked in and as I followed Paul down towards Greendale bridge I could see and hear the cheers of my support crew, some of their wives and kids waiting for me.

13hrs 26 mins was my finishing time and I have to say it was tough. Anyone who can do sub 12hrs for that challenge gets a lot of respect from me and thanks to Joss for setting such a great challenge – it was indeed a grand day out!

Thanks again to all of my supporters and well-wishers and Sarah – I couldn’t have done it without you all!

Even Keith Woods sabotage plan didn’t stop me finishing 😊

Jim Thompson

Mike Warwick (M70 Repeat) - 25 August 2022

The dream of making a crossing to celebrate my 70th birthday started years earlier when I supported Rainer on his magnificent crossing for his 70th in a then-record time. Preparations went well except for the increasingly frequent episodes of atrial fibrillation which drastically slow me down on climbs.

The team met up at the Brackenrigg Inn the night before, beer was restricted to a pint despite it being my actual birthday and on leaving we were treated to the most beautiful sunset.

That had to be a really good omen.

A 5 ‘o’clock start at Pooley Bridge was ideal with the first glimmer of dawn. We met up with Craig who is the most brilliant navigator, he knows every line and keeps grass underfoot wherever possible. My daughter Asha running in the Lakeland fells for the first time was treated to glorious views as morning broke. Dry and well trod paths sped us to the first 12 summits and then a more tricky but direct line down to Kirkstone.

A brief stop for cereal and Craig was leading off on leg 2. I tried to keep my pace steady and easy to ward off the onset of AF. By Dunmail we were slightly up on my 16 hour schedule but my navigator planned for the last 2 legs had to pull out that morning due to a knee injury. My son Ben was unfazed and with the help of a GPX file on memory map expertly navigated the complicated route including the tricky ascent of Bowfell and the descent off Great End. At Sty Head there was a big reception including Rainer who has been hosting the family and friends and old friend Barry who was fresh from winning the M80 European championships triathalon.

Still on schedule the day seemed to be going so well but the last leg proved to be a shocker. My pace ascending dropped dramatically as I had gone into AF, this in itself was neither surprising or to troublesome as I could still run comfortably downhill. The ascent of Seatallan was very slow but the promise of nearly finishing meant our spirits were high. Parminder had been an excellent stand in navigator using the GPX route but unfortunately it led us into a ghastly descent from Middle Fell. Instead of using the path and track that deviates a bit west it took us on a direct line down the worst rock, scree and bracken I have ever encountered. I fell dozens of time becoming bloodied and bruised and it took an age. What should have been a 20 minute descent took 1& 1/4 hours. Thankfully everybody got down safely in the dark and we celebrated at the finish with family and friends. 17 hours 10 minutes was a good time and overall it had been a fantastic day.

Attempting a Joss Naylor crossing requires many months of training and beware of thinking gentle road and grassy ascents prepare you well for the rocky and steep rigours of The Lakeland fells.

Support from family and friends is vital. It may be tougher for the family doing all the support than it is for the runner. I think it requires some dedicated but self centred behaviour to succeed. Hopefully it will inspire others. My grandchildren certainly seemed proud. 

Rick Ansell (M60) - 30 July 2022

 A WET ONE

The forecast was for occasional drizzle and low cloud gradually clearing. The forecast was wrong. The postcast (which obviously was right) was 14 hours of rain.

At 01.50 Pooley Bridge was quiet as the four of us waited on the bridge for the clock to tick round, one of us rather nervously. At 02.00 we padded off down the track beside the river. Patrick and Alex had recced the way out through the camp site and no time was lost here. I think recceing is cheating and these things should always be done on sight or just using existent knowledge but trying to weave a way between people’s tents in the dark is tricky. On Arthur’s Seat the lights of the farms beside Ullswater twinkled up at us but by Loadpot we were in the cloud and starting to get wet. When we got to High Raise the wind was up and conditions were becoming distinctly unpleasant. The mist was definitely a hard drizzle. Alex, Patrick’s brother-in-law is a resident of Montana and more used to running on the trails around the hills there. This was a fairly precipitous introduction to real fell running. Max stuck close and handed the bottle and jelly babies as his father demanded. The rain meant I had to remove my glasses. Removing the glasses meant I couldn’t read the map so the main burden of navigation fell on Patrick who did sterling work. On High Street Alex announced that he was cold and he did seem to be close to hypothermia. We crammed a hat on him and jelly babies in him and hurried on to Threshthwiate Mouth where there was respite from the wind and he could pull on more clothes. The dawn came reluctantly as though the day had seen the weather and wanted to stay in bed.

By Stony Cove the torches were ineffectual and we romped down the wall and completely missed the turn to Pike Howe. Patrick caught the error 500m further on as we arrived at St Raven’s Crag. Back we went. 20 mins lost to the schedule. Annoyed, I made up quite a few of these descending to Kirkstone. The car park seemed deserted, just a couple of camper vans loomed in the mist. Panic. And then Scott saw us and leapt out of a car we hadn’t seen in the fog. Suddenly the place came alive. Coffee was poured, potatoes offered, bottles filled, Jaffa cakes grabbed and we were on our way with another five minutes saved. The new team included Scott Collier and Kevin Harding. With them to navigate there was no point in me even carrying a map. Paul acted as mule and handed drinks and food when required. The pace was a little slower than on the Hodgson Relay but by Fairfield we had pulled back more time and on Seat Sandall the rain seemed to ease off. We found the BG trod and soon we could see the cars at Dunmail and there was Julie out to meet and greet. On runs like this when there are times you feel a little fragile it is amazing what a boost a friendly face can make and a quiet: “You seem to be going really well” She surveyed the team: Scott, Simon Barnett, Ned Needham and Paul Addison. “You’ve got a crack team here” she said. Between them they had decades of hill days and, as Paul discovered, Simon is a secret weapon as he knows every blade of grass between Dunmail and Sty Head.

On the long stretch to High Raise the clouds began to clear and for a few wonderful moments we were graced with a rainbow and views of the hills we had come to run over. Climbing High Raise was a chore, though, the rain came on again and the weather closed down. Despite this I felt better on the nice grassy trods down to Stake Pass. I wanted to get Rossett behind me so I could get stuck into Bow Fell which loomed large in my mind. Things went quiet as we toiled up. It felt slow but Scott informed us that we were 15 minutes ahead of schedule and immediately I was lifted. Scott headed off down the Band to the ODG for lunch having done a brilliant job keeping us on the straight and narrow. We retraced from Great End towards Esk Hause and ran down the track past Sprinkling Tarn rather than try to find the direct descent. It might be slower but it was safe.

A party had come up from Wasdale with coffee, brownies, potatoes and bars. It was cosy behind the stretcher box and nice to stop moving. Simon had to gently suggest that progress should be resumed. We wanted to use the scree descent off Gable but the scree we found was a bit bigger than the ideal. We stumbled onto Beck Head with little time lost and the final big climb on Pillar just the other side of Kirk Fell. My back was getting very tight and on the slopes of Pillar I had to lie down and try to stretch it out. It improved it for about 150m but that was enough to get me over the top and but for the fog the end was in sight and 30 minutes in hand on a 17 hour schedule. I kept telling myself to concentrate. A trip here could end it all prematurely; too cruel at this stage.

Finally we were on Middle Fell and trotting down the path. We heard Greendale Gill long before we saw it through the clag, clearly in spate. I realised just how much rain had come down since we started. Then we dropped down out of the cloud and there were the cars and the bridge that we had be running to all day and a little group of friends to welcome us in. Passers by looked on curiously as we stood for photos in the rain, drinking coffee and grinning from ear to ear and satisfaction, as Fred Rogerson used to say, dripping like fat from a goose from one of the group.