Joss Naylor, a record-breaking runner who was known as “King of the Fells” for his long-distance feats, has died at the age of 88.
As a fell runner, Joss Naylor was known as the “King of the Fells.” He died at the age of 88.
He was a famous runner from Cumbria. He died on Friday night “with family and friends by his side.”
A lot of sad messages came in today to the Climbers Shop in Ambleside to confirm the news.
He was praised for running the fastest times on the Three Peaks, the Welsh 3,000ers, and the Pennine Way. Joss is a sheep farmer.
Besides that, he broke the Lake District 24-hour record three times.
It was “hugely sad” that Joss died, and the Fell Runners Association said he “inspired so many.”
Stuart Ferguson, chairman of The Fell Runners Association, said, “We are very sad to hear that Joss Naylor has died. He was a legend.”
“Joss inspired so many and will be ever remembered for what he gave to our unique sport.”
Terry Abraham, a close friend, wrote a touching tribute on social media: “Joss still holds the record for running up and down England’s highest peak in 47 minutes.”
People all over the world, not just in Cumbria, knew and admired how athletic he was. He was humble and down-to-earth.
“These days, people use the word “legend” too loosely.
“I really think Josh Naylor was a legend. The Iron Man. The Fells’ King.
“His nicknames go on and on across generations.”
Joss was born in Wasdale Head, Cumbria, on February 10, 1936. He started running when he was 24 years old.
He did all 214 Wainwrights in just seven days when he was 50 years old.
In the next 10 years, the legend ran 60 Lakeland fell-tops in 36 hours. When he was 70 years old, he went on to run 70 Lakeland fells.
In 2007, he was given an MBE for his outstanding services to sport and charity.
Through his races, Joss raised an amazing £40,000 for the Brathay Trust, which he supported.
Scott Umpleby, who is in charge of fundraising, said, “He’s famous for how fast he ran, but he also used his running to help local charities, like helping kids and teens who are in need.”
She said, “He was always so happy. He was a legend, and people would wait in line to see him.”
Last year, he was set on coming to watch, even though he was in a wheelchair.
“Being a teenager in the 1980s, when I started fell running and racing, Joss was already a revered figure in my mind.” I looked up to him a lot.
On their Facebook page, the 1000m Welsh Peaks Race said this about him: “The fell and mountain running community across the UK will have been touched by his steady presence over decades, and now his sad death.”
“Thank you for a long history of great running in the Welsh 1000m Peaks Race, including many important wins in the early 1970s.”
“Diolch yn fawr iawn Joss Naylor – gorffwys mewn heddwch.”