Fell runner tops gruelling record last set in 1983

A fell runner has said he is "incredibly proud" to break the record of a 103-mile (167km) route previously set by the "legendary" Joss Naylor.

Kim Collison, 45, linked up a "phenomenal run" involving 26 lakes, meres and waters and more than 6,500m (21,325ft) of ascent in the Lake District on Monday, finishing in a time of 18 hours, 50 minutes and 34 seconds.

Veteran fell runner Naylor, known as 'King of the Fells', set the route's previously unbeaten record of 19 hours and 14 minutes in 1983.

Collison, who lives in the Lake District, said he went from a "pain cave" to "pure elation", and passing Naylor's house was a "real high point".

Known as the Lakes, Meres and Waters route, the round involves the runner touching all 26 bodies of water in the national park.

Runners can pick their own route, which Collison said was "part of the joy of it".

"I pieced together what I think Joss did," he said, adding he enjoyed "recceing and learning what what the best route to take to try and match his splits".

"It's a phenomenal run but I can see why nobody else has tried to chase it," he said.

"Most routes link the fell tops but this route means you start to run on the parts you don't normally run on - especially in the lower valleys which you see from a different perspective."

Collison said he went from "riding a red line and being in a suffering pain cave" to feeling "pure elation".

"The toughest bits are when you're 8km (5 miles) in and everything is suffering...it's the mental one of keeping it going," he continued.

Collison said he was supported by some "incredible runners" who helped make it possible and he "could not have completed it without the unwavering support of his wife".

"One of my favourite memories was running through Wasdale, and I passed by Joss's old house in Greendale with bluebells and lovely woodland - that was a high point," he said.

Naylor, who was a sheep farmer in Wasdale, died aged 88 in 2024.

"Joss was one of the most kind and supportive people out there," Collison said.

"I'm feeling incredibly proud to break a record of this duration from the fell running legend. It's what I call a big smile day."

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