Greatest FellRunner Ever.

[Flightless Bird]

Greatness, as said before is a very subjective test.
To my family, I am the greatest. But I suspect this applies to most.
To be the "best" at something is also an historical subjective test. As no one can account for changes in not just ability, but kit, training techniques, and rehab. Would the "greats" of yesteryear be even better, or worse, with the scientific breakthroughs that are available today. I'm not just talking about fell running either!
Also, would the "greats" of today have been as good without these breakthroughs in technology.

One thing that would stand is their ability. But who would have been the "best" "greatest". No one could ever say for definate. And why would we want to?

As far as I can remember there was only ever one sports person who proclaimed "I AM THE GREATEST". But even Mr Ali might now have to say, "I WAS THE GREATEST."

[woodlander]

Jonathan Wyatt. His record speaks for itself.

[Stolly]

Greatness is relative - I doubt any of the 'so called' great fell runners have pushed themselves as hard as I did in my first pitiful attempt at the 3 peaks fell race; calf cramp, knee cramp, thigh cramp, chest cramp... even my cramp had cramp. It took me 15 minutes to actually bend my body so that I could get in my car to drive home. On top of that (and this was before the days of a drinks station at Sulber Nick) my body was totally devoid of liquid and totally devoid of fuel by the time I was a mile or so from the end and with raging dehydration, sun stroke, full body shut down, the bonk to end all bonks, seeing stars, confusion and dizzyness. But did I whinge? Did I heck; I just manfully soldiered on to the end and, fortunately, lived to tell the tale.

But try telling Joss Naylor.........

[Stagger]

Jonathan Wyatt. His record speaks for itself.

How many times has he won the British or English Champs

[daz h]

How many times has he won the British or English Champs

I think it depends on whether your talking greatness as in Champs wins or simply the fastest.

You could say Kenny Stuarts time at the Ben Race eclipses Ians number of wins there. I think Ian Holmes is an amazing runner but he has never beaten that time. Thats a rought descent if ever there was one.

But like you Stagger I can relate to Ian being one of the greatest ever. Perhaps its because he is our era.
Kenny was undoubtably pure class.

[daz h]

And are we talking Fellrunner or Fellracer?

[Al Fowler]

And are we talking Fellrunner or Fellracer?

Cracking question!

[Rudolph Hooker]

What about those that keep running at a high standard for years and years - not just when they're king of the climb?

In fact ... what about Wendy Dodds!

Still going after all these years. Still racing nearly every weekend - and still winning national medals in her class (and in younger classes too!).

[southernsoftie]

You're right, it's completely subjective. If only there were some way of comparing runners. Like, say, lots of races over different distances, and a yearly championship so you can put achievements relative to a runner's peers into a historical context.

Very funny

[WillMarsh]

Kenny Stuart