Joseph Naylor MBE (10 February 1936 – 28 June 2024) was an English fell runner who set many long-distance records, and a sheep farmer, living in the Lake District.
In 1978, following medical advice that his back was deteriorating, he reduced his farming activities (selling his cattle but retaining his sheep), and took a job training apprentices at Windscale.
[5] After a period of ill health, including a stroke, Naylor died at a care home in Gosforth, Cumbria, on 28 June 2024, at the age of 88.
[10][5] Naylor considered the 72 peak Lakeland circuit as his own greatest achievement, setting a record which stood for 13 years.
However, on occasion he was less enthusiastic about runners who differ from his approach by setting records only in optimum conditions or who use more scientific methods such as use of spreadsheets for planning attempts.