That if I had said he was merely a distance runner/racer (i.e AL classics) there would have been others hauling me over the coals that I had not stated his credentials at challenges beyond those distances.
Remember, the title of this thread is "the best fell RUNNER ever", not "the best fell RACER ever".
You are appearing to be pedantic about his racing prowess. Others would have been equally pedantic about his prowess beyond races. I was just attempting to cover all the bases.
Billy Bland was the consummate all rounder. Prior to being reinstated as an amateur he had a good career as a "guides racer".
As a reinstated amateur he won races at all distances (in the late 80's as a V40 he was outright winner of the Fleetwith Pike race from Gatescarth, one of the first V40's to be an outright winner at a time when there was plenty of good, young, upcoming talent about) and successfully participated in ultra distance challenges.
The only other consummate all rounder that could possibly challenge Billy is Colin Donnelly, he certainly wins in regards to longevity of career in obtaining good results at all distances and still setting himself some incredible mountain challenges.