Joss Naylor, MBE
BRATHAY 10in10 PATRON
Joss Naylor is one of England’s most celebrated fell runners. The Cumbrian sheep farmer broke the Lake District 24 hour fell record three times in the 1970s – his 1975 record of 72 peaks, covering 100 miles and around 38,000 feet of ascent in 23hrs 11mins, stood for 13 years.
At age 50, he completed the 214 peaks of the Wainwrights in seven days, one hour and 25 minutes, a feat not bettered until 2014. At 60, he bagged 60 Lakeland fell tops – at 70 he ran 70 of them, amassing more than 50 miles in the process. In 2016 the ‘King of the Fells’ celebrated his 80th birthday by running over 35 miles from Caldbeck to Wasdale, raising funds to help vulnerable children and young people.
“I’ve taken a lot from the tranquility of the Lake District – an appreciation of the landscape, wildlife and plants. For me, running has always been more about getting out in the natural environment than it is about exercise or training.
I’ve been Patron of the Brathay 10in10 since the event started in 2007. I’ve been inspired by what Brathay does to help disadvantaged young people. It’s been an education to see how they turn lives around.”
Experience
- 1970: The Four Lake District 3,000ft Peaks (8:20)
- 1971: Lake District 24 Hour Record (61 peaks)
- 1971: Three Peaks Record (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowdon)
- 1972: Lake District 24 hour Record (63 peaks)
- 1973: Welsh 14 Three Thousanders Record (4:46)
- 1974: Pennine Way Record (3 days 4 hrs)
- 1975: Lake District 24 hour Record (72 peaks in 23:11)
- 1976: Ennerdale Horseshoe Fell Race (ninth consecutive victory)
- 1979: Lake District Mountain Trial (tenth victory, seven consecutive 1971-1977)
- 1983: Lakes, Meres & Waters (105 miles in 19:20)
- 1986: Wainwright Summits – a round of all 214 tops (7 days)
- 1990: Establishes Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge (31 summits, 48 miles)
- 1996: 60 Lakeland fell tops (aged 60)
- 2006: 70 Lakeland fell tops (aged 70 – under 21 hours)
- 2016: Caldbeck to Wasdale (aged 80)
- 2018: Wasdale to Brathay Hall – 30 miles & 6,000ft (aged 82)