LEGENDARY fell runner and Wasdale shepherd Joss Naylor is to officially start the Herdwick 10k in Great Langdale on July 5.

The 78-year-old will also hand out the winners’ medals at the new race which has been launched by the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association (HSBA) and Taste Cumbria.

The event is funded by the Prince’s Countryside Fund to tackle low farming incomes by raising awareness and making money to underpin the continuation of hill farmers’ cultural heritage.

Joss is still active with Herdwicks on the farm at his home in Wasdale, regularly going to the fell to gather sheep and maintaining the dry stone walls.

For more information and to enter the race, visit http://greatlangdaleroadraces.co.uk/herdwick-10k/