Record-breaking fell running legend Joss Naylor dies aged 88

It has been announced that fell running legend Joss Naylor MBE has died, aged 88.

Stuart Ferguson, the chairman of the Fell Runners Association, posted on Facebook:

“Joss Naylor MBE 1936 – 2024

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joss Naylor MBE on Friday evening, 28th June, in the company of friends and family. Funeral details to follow.”

‘King of the fells’

Naylor, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport and charity in 2007, set multiple running records throughout his life.

They included breaking the Lake District 24-hour record three times as well as setting fastest known times on the Three Peaks, Welsh 3,000ers and Pennine Way.

He took up running in 1960 and would register astonishing feats on landmark birthdays.

They included running all 214 Wainwrights in seven days when turning 50 in 1986 and then all 60 Lakeland fell-tops in 36 hours in 1996 and 70 Lakeland fells in 2006.

And at 80 he ran from Caldbeck to his home at Wasdale in the Lake District – a distance of almost 50km.

And in 2019, at 83, he completed the Lake District Mountain Trial, a race he had failed to finish back in 1962.

Helping and inspiring others

Naylor, forever associated with the Lake District, was a patron for the Brathay Trust and helped raise tens of thousands of pounds to help disadvantaged children and young people.

His friend Terry Abraham described him as a “legend” when he posted the news on X.