Hundreds of athletes from all over the north of England converged mainly on foot over mountain passes into Wasdale to pay their respects to Lake District fell running legend Joss Naylor who died last month at the age of 88.
A good turn-out of runners from Keswick AC, Eden and the Northern Fells Running Club ran from Seathwaite last Friday morning to join in the funeral service for the record-breaking veteran athlete known as the ‘King of the Fells’.
Despite the throng of 1,000 runners, the valley fell silent as Cumbria’s most famous fell runner was laid to rest at the tiny St Olaf’s Church – the smallest parish church in England – in Joss’s home valley.
Runners, many of whom had run, walked or cycled into the valley wearing their club colours, led the hearse up the lane to the church singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot. They were fronted by a lone cornet player and local fell runner Lindsay Buck, who runs for Cumberland Fell Runners.
Keswick’s club flag was carried by Chris Knox, who said: “Joss will remain part of fell running folklore. His epic runs, fundraising, hard work, humour, tolerance of pain, his love of other people running.
“To be part of the streams of runners and walkers arriving by every possible route into his beloved Wasdale was a unique sight and occasion.”
Joss’s family went into the church and many local people gathered in the churchyard and surrounding field to share the relayed service.
The coffin was carefully carried past the crowds. It was covered in sunflowers with a can of Guinness – Joss’s favourite drink – perched on the back.
The service was beautifully led and included songs, hymns as well as tributes from friends and family. These covered all aspects of Joss’s life: a family man, shepherd and a very active individual strongly committed to the local community as well as being a legendary fell runner who completed many feats of endurance.
“Joss will be remembered by so many for his gentleness and his strong attachment to the place of his birth,” said Keswick AC’s Lesley Malarkey who attended the funeral. “The runners were full of stories of him, jokes he told, advice he gave and ongoing support to the sport he made his own.
“He set such an example in terms of what could be done setting long distance records before anyone had even thought about going so far. But for many runners he simply epitomised what many still cherish, the freedom of just putting on a pair of shoes and running out in the hills.
“This was very much how Joss had wanted the day to be. The sun still shone as the runners set off back over the fells leaving Joss resting within sight of the house where he was born.”
Fellow Keswick AC athlete Carl Bell said: “From my point of view he had an amazing life and was very active up until the end really. So I think it was a life to massively celebrate.”
