Dasher of the Month courtesy of Simon Smith
“Buckle up, I’ve been asked to talk about running and once I start I can’t be stopped”
November 2025 Joshua Turner
1. Do you have a nickname?
Not that I’m aware of. Josh will do.
2. What is your favourite piece of running kit/equipment?
A few contenders… I love a GPS watch with decent maps on it. I know it’s not necessarily in the true spirit of fell running, but it really is a fantastic navigation aid when you’re doing a recce of a race or just running somewhere you’re not so familiar with. That being said, I have done some map navigation during races and it’s getting easier, thumbing the map as shown by Iain Asher is such a helpful tip! Versatile shoes, something that can do proper fell but isn’t too painful on road sections, current choice being the Inov-8 Trailtalon. Precision 90g gels - For longer races I pretty much rely on these monster gels, they’re so convenient to carry and easy to take on when you’re attempting higher grams of carbs per hour. During Lakes in a Day I carried 13 of these, which is about 39 normal gels…
3: What’s your favourite race?
On the shorter side, I absolutely love Mearley Clough. Fairly local, relatively massive steep climb, and then an initial decent which you can really let yourself go & pasta at the end was a winner as well. That being said, I do love an ultra. I tend to be quite selective when choosing these, limiting myself to 2 or 3 per year, as they take so much focus in training. So for ultras I’d probably say that my favourite race is the next long race I’m training for.
4: Any PBs that you’re proud of?
Manchester Marathon 2021: 6 hours 12 minutes I didn’t have a single clue what I was doing. Back then I enjoyed casual jogs around the Manchester canals and I could run a half marathon (1hr55m was my best), so I thought a marathon can’t be that much worse. In training I could barely get past 15 miles. Then 8 weeks out, I pretty much ignored it until 2 weeks before. I’m proud of it because it reminds me of how tough running has felt in the past, and how much you can improve if you learn about training theory and train relatively consistently.
Dig Deep 50 mile 2025: 8 hours 36 minutes, 3rd place. My third attempt at 50 miles. This was my first long race where I wanted to be competitive. Training went well and I had a really strong race, but I reckon I can go faster.
Lakes in a Day 2024: 12 hours 40 minutes. My first 50 mile race, the first half heading up the high fells of Blencathra, Helvellyn, Fairfield. The weather from Clough Head to Fairfield was pretty intense. Towards the end of this race I wasn’t totally sure if I could go the whole distance, but I got in a train with a few guys and they dragged me to the end. One of the hardest efforts I’ve had running, though still easier than Manchester Marathon…
5: What has been your worst running injury?
Mostly I’ve suffered with tendinopathy from overuse. I think this is just being fairly new to this amount of training. Every few months or so I’ll develop a new pain in the legs/feet, I’ll then take some time to learn about that particular issue, figure out how to fix it, get stronger and crack on. It’s frustrating in the moment whilst you can’t run, but you get stronger in the long term! Though it really helps to have a good Physio to point you in the right direction.
6: Improving Dasher to keep an eye on
I reckon Sanne Keijzer has got a good year coming up!
7: Where is the most exotic place you’ve ran?
I’m a bit slow on finding exciting places. I only started running in the Lakes a couple of years ago… I’d say the most exotic place is Chamonix, which is hardly exotic but I absolutely love it.
8: Highlight of your running ‘career’ so far
Joining Darwen Dashers and being introduced to fell running. It’s hard to believe I only entered my first fell race 18 months ago, I can’t imagine a life without it! This club has given me so much confidence and joy.
9: Any hobbies we don’t know about?
I’m a keen Photographer, working mostly with medium format film which I develop and print in a darkroom. I’ve recently started a photographic series where I photograph fell race routes, zines now available if you’re interested. I do enjoy photographing races, but I’d much prefer to be racing them!
10: Interesting fact about yourself
I learned to ride a motorcycle when I was 8, and I competed in motorcycle trials for about 8 years. Trail running is basically motorcycle trials without the bike…
11: Most interesting job(s) past or present
Most interesting job is my current occupation, as a Photographic Technician at Uni of Salford, I get to teach people about photography and spend most days in the darkroom, it’s fantastic.
12: Dasher you admire and why?
There are so many Dashers to admire, of course I’m biased towards the fell team for their sheer camaraderie. At the risk of being a cop out, my wife Heather has been amazing to watch over the last couple of years, from struggling to run a mile around the block, to running a 28 mile fell race, she is the perfect example that no matter your experience, if you put your mind to it you can be a runner and have big adventures!
13: Any future running ambitions?
Get faster over my current favourite distance, 50 miles. Eventually step up to races that are longer and steeper, but I don’t plan to rush that progression. Also to put some focus on getting quicker on the road races. I need to sort out my PB efforts, they’re a bit all over the shop.
14: Which song on your playlist makes you run faster & further?
Kendrick Lamar is my go to whilst running.
15: Which person past or present would you most like to run with?
My Grandad Turner. He wasn’t a runner but was occasionally a keen walker. He introduced the Turners to Motorcycle Trials and taught me to love the sort of landscapes that we both rode, which I now run. If I could have shared my love of running with him, I think he would’ve absolutely loved it.
16: Best thing about Darwen Dashers.
Community. Two years ago, before my first ultra, fell running, or running club, running was almost entirely a solo venture. Dashers has introduced me to so many fantastic people and I absolutely love it. I think my enthusiasm for the club is evident
17: Any running, or other superstitions?
You asked… I used to wear a specific blue pair of running undies when I raced. The superstition dissolved after Wasdale fell race this year, even my blue undies couldn’t save me there. I do always put my left sock on first, but that’s not a superstition, it just feels right…
18: Your perfect, indulgent, post run meal
Some of my fell racing colleagues may have noticed I have quite an appetite. I tend to dream about my post race meal during my longer races. It’s usually a sourdough pizza.
19: One piece of advice for a new runner
Don’t be a mileage hero, be consistent, progress slower than you’d like to.
20: Sum yourself up in 5 words
I just bloody love running.
