Record-breaking runner Joss Naylor dubbed ‘King of the Fells’ for his long-distance feats dies aged 88

VETERAN fell runner Joss Naylor, known as the King of the Fells, has died aged 88.

The running legend, from Cumbria , sadly passed away on Friday evening “in the company of family and friends”.

Martin Campbell / Brathay Trust

The Climbers Shop in Ambleside confirmed the news today as emotional tributes poured in.

Joss, a sheep farmer, was hailed for running the fastest known times on the Three Peaks, Welsh 3,000ers and Pennine Way.

He also smashed the Lake District 24-hour record a whopping three times.

The Fell Runners Association was “hugely saddened” by Joss’ death, and said he “inspired so many”.

Chairman of The Fell Runners Association, Stuart Ferguson, said: “We are hugely saddened by the news that the legend that is Joss Naylor has passed away.

“Joss inspired so many and will be ever remembered for what he gave to our unique sport.”

Joss Naylor running achievements

THE record-breaking sheep farmer ran the fastest known times on the Three Peaks, Welsh 3,000ers and Pennine Way

• 1971 – Joss completes 61 peaks in 23 hours 37 minutes and then runs 63 peaks in 23h35m the following year.

• 1975 – The runner smashes 72 peaks, in 23 hours and 20 minutes – a record that stood until 1988.

• 1971 – He completes The National Three Peaks Challenge – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – in an incredible 11 hours and 54 minutes

• 1973 – Joss runs The Welsh 3000s – the 14 peaks of Snowdonia in four hours and 46 minutes – a record that held until 1988

• 1974 – He completes The Pennine Way in three days, four hours and 36 minutes – a record which stood until 1989

• 1976 – The runner does Robin Hood Bay to St Bees in 41 hours

• 1979 – The Lyke Wake Walk takes Joss four hours and 53 minutes which – a record which stood until 1981

• 1983 – Joss completes The Lakes, Meres and Waters circuit of 105 miles in just 19 hours and 20 minutes

• 1986 – At age 50 he completed the Wainwrights in seven days, one hour, and 25 minutes – this record stood until 2014

• 1997 – At age 60 he ran 60 Lakeland fell tops in 36 hours

• 2006 – At age 70 he ran 70 Lakeland fell tops, covering more than 50 miles and ascending more than 25,000 feet, in under 21 hours

And close pal, Terry Abraham, paid a touching tribute on social media which read: “Joss still holds the record for running up and down England’s highest peak in 47 minutes.

“A humble, down to earth man whose incredible athleticism was known and respected around the world let alone within Cumbria.

“The word legend is often used too lightly nowadays.

“Joss Naylor really was a legend. The Iron Man. The King of the Fells.

“His nicknames go on and on across generations.”

Joss was born on February 10, 1936 in Wasdale Head, Cumbria and began running when he was 24-years-old.

At the age of 50 he completed all 214 Wainwrights in just seven days.

A decade later, the icon ran 60 Lakeland fell-tops in 36 hours, then when on to smash 70 Lakeland fells at the age of 70.

He was awarded an MBE for his impressive services to sport and charity in 2007.

Joss raised an eye-watering £40,000 for the Brathay Trust, for whom he was a patron, through his races.

Fundraising manager, Scott Umpleby, said: “He’s known for his incredible running achievements, but he used his running to support local charities, including disadvantaged children and young people.

“He was always so positive… his legendary status was so wide and we would get queues of people to see him.

“Last year, he was determined to come and watch – even from his wheelchair.

“On a personal level, I started fell running and racing as a teenager in the 1980s and Joss was already a legendary figure. I really looked up to him.”

A Facebook tribute, from the 1000m Welsh Peaks Race, read: “The fell and mountain running community across the UK will have been touched by his stalwart presence over decades, and now his sad passing.

“Thank you for leaving a legacy of excellent running in the Welsh 1000m Peaks Race, with many notable wins in the the race’s first years of the 1970s.

“Diolch yn fawr iawn Joss Naylor – gorffwys mewn heddwch.”

What is fell running?

JOSS Naylor was a legendary fell runner

Fell running, a traditionally British sport, is running and racing off road.

The races usually include a significant gradient.

The routes are not so much about speed, but endurance and runners have to power through unpredictable weather and terrain.

The sport also involves running between two checkpoints, often without a clear path.

This is the main difference between fell running and mountain running – mountain runners are often faster, with more obvious paths to follow.