Tributes have poured in for the veteran fell runner Joss Naylor, known as the “King of the Fells”, who has died aged 88.
Naylor, from Wasdale Head, Cumbria, is famous for breaking the record for most fells climbed in a 24-hour period three times. He also ran the fastest known times on the Three Peaks, Welsh 3,000ers and Pennine Way.
The Fell Runners Association (FRA) announced the news of his death on 28 June on social media, adding that the runner had died “in the company of friends and family”.
Stuart Ferguson, the chairperson of the FRA, said: “We are hugely saddened by the news that the legend that is Joss Naylor has passed away. Joss inspired so many and will forever be remembered for what he gave to our unique sport.”
Born in 1936, Naylor, a former sheep farmer, started running in 1960, earning himself the nickname of “Iron Man”.
The broadcaster and photographer Terry Abraham shared an emotional tribute on social media. He said: “The word legend is often used too lightly nowadays. RIP Joss Naylor MBE. You really were and always will be a legend. I’ve no doubt he’s running about in the heavens looking down upon his ancestral home of Wasdale. RIP friend.”
Another described him as the “definition of a legend”. They added: “Loved being in his company on a couple of occasions. A patron saint of Cumbria. RIP Iron Joss.”
In 1986, at the age of 50, Naylor ran all 214 Wainwrights in seven days. When he turned 60 he ran 60 Lakeland fell tops in 36 hours, and at 70 he ran 70 Lakeland fells.
A tribute left by Henry Morris, an ultra marathon runner and personal trainer, described Naylor as a “true inspiration”. On social media, he wrote: “RIP Joss Naylor, the incredible fell running sheep farmer. His feats are endless, but one that really stood out for me was when, for his 70th birthday, he ran 70 Lakeland fell tops, covering 50 miles and 25,000 feet in 21 hours. A true inspiration.”
In February 2021, Naylor told BBC Countryfile he was still running two to three times a week on the fell tops, which he described as among some of “the best views on this earth”.
Naylor was a patron for the Brathay Trust, where he raised about £40,000 for the youth charity between 2007 and 2019. He was appointed an MBE for services to sport and charity in 2007.
Scott Umpleby, a fundraising manager at Brathay Trust, said: “He’s known for his incredible running achievements, but he used his running to support local charities, including disadvantaged children and young people.
The charity said Naylor “didn’t hesitate” to say yes to becoming a patron in 2007. Umpleby said the trust would put on races and Naylor “attended every year” until he had a stroke in 2021.
“Last year, he was determined to come and watch – even from his wheelchair,” Umpleby said.
