Who are we and what are we?

NAV4 was formerly NAV+art; I changed the name simply so people can pronounce it correctly! We have a solid reputation as adventure racers, with experience of a huge range of events from Open5's to the AR World Championships  However, we are simply a group of friends who like competing in mountain marathons and adventure races, and who enjoy helping others.  The name 'Team NAV+art' was initially born a few years ago to participate in The Wilderness Adventure Race, finishing a creditable fourth, in 2006. Since then we have also finished well in the World Adventure Race Championship and The Hebridean Challenge, as well as many other short races. Just last August NAV4 finished third in the Open Adventure C2C, pushing the top two sponsored teams all the way to Robin Hood's Bay. NAV4 is not an exclusive AR 'Team'; we are happy for anyone to compete under the NAV4 name, and many friends and some previous clients choose to do so, using it as their 'team' name. It would be great to see more NAV4 teams getting together.  It's not about sponsorship ... just having fun. 'Race Hard...Smile Lots'. If this ethos fits with yourself then go for it, get in touch, and help develop some more teams.

NAV+art training courses started over twelve years ago. Originally the idea of a KIMM training course came from Ken Ledward and Mike Parsons, both being people involved in the very early stages of KIMM and all things lightweight.  'Guru Ken' was concerned that too many people were entering the KIMM and simply having epics; which was not good for neither event safety, competitor enjoyment, or 'PR' !  Ken brought me in to help at a very early stage as 'young blood' and it grew from there! My ethos was for an intensive 'hands on' programme, delivered by a dedicated group of tutors. My back ground is in training, education and outdoor education and so I applied that to NAV+art programme.  We have supported KIMM and OMM for many years, and not only are we are good at what we do, but we have many years of doing it!  

And What about Me...Joe Faulkner

I am a qualified Mountaineer, (MIA, Winter MLC) and used to be a full-time outdoor tutor, instructing a full range of activities, but no longer teach the wet stuff, and only work part-time.

I've been fortunate to enjoy a long and rewarding career in long distance trail and fell running and latterly adventure racing.  Over the years, I've taken part in all the classic fell races, many mountain marathons such as KIMM, LAMM, SLMM and now OMM. I've also done Polaris and Trailquest events. I've done dozens of mountain marathons over the years including Elite, A, B and Score classes.

I was a big fan of ACE races, favouring the Two Day events and have clocked over 33,000 points in 20 events. Many of these were solo, but also in a team and mixed pair.  A few podium places and a top 10 place in the Career Points are quietly rewarding. I have also competed in far too many Open5's and last year completed the Open Adventure Endurance Series, finishing third mixed pair with Louise 'Wilko' Wilkinson.

I have also enjoyed Mountain Triathlons, such as Helvellyn and Ben Nevis. You'll note that I have been using the term 'enjoyed' which does reflect upon my ethos. These long races always give you time to think and reflect on what I've done. I've never won many prizes but that is not what I do it for.

It's over 30 years since my first 'adventure race' as a young and somewhat rotund teenager and I guess I've learned a few things about pacing one's self since. My back ground has been in long distance running, having discovered that I can keep shuffling on  . . . . .but never go any faster.

I have run many ultra's such as the Longmynd Hike, The Fellsman, High Peak Marathon LDWA '100's' and Bob Graham rounds and Paddy Buckley Round. The longest of the long stuff must have been the amazing 'Dragons Back' in 1992 - and reading about that now I have to remind myself I was there, in my prime, at the age of 30 (if you were wondering)

Wackier stuff ranges from The Sydney Striders 24hour Track race - 118 miles around a 400m track, and Butter Crags fell race - the most pain ever, and less than 18mins . . .  I've done my stint of road running, several marathons between 3:15 and 3:45 but would still like to run a 'good one.

I've also raced The Three Peaks Yacht Race and Two Scottish Island Races, as well as sea kayaking around the West coast of Scotland including some hairy island crossings. I've climbed and trekked in many parts of the world, including some hard stuff in the alps.

Qualified Mountaineering - Mountain Instructors Award, Winter MLC, SPA, etc. Mountain Leader Training Board - Trainer and Assessor. I am an ex- British Canoe Union Kayak and Canoe Instructor, currently hold a four star Sea Kayak certificate. (Heb certified) I am a Mountain Leader Training Board - Trainer and Assessor. I'm also IRATA Level I and PPE qualified.

My personal Highlights :

The Dragon's Back Race 1992! Still the best from nearly twenty years ago. The epic struggle between Stone/Diamantides and Belton/ McDermott is well written in 'Feet in the Clouds'. I was honoured to be in the race.

• The Hebridean Challenge 2004 - Solo
• Wilderness ARC 2006 - Team NAV+art finished fourth in our first expedition race.
• ARWC 2007 - Adventure Race World Championship - We finished 19th, and third British team.  But we finished where many others didn't...
• Over twenty five plus years of classic fell racing, Ennerdale, Wasdale, Borrowdale, Ben Nevis, Paps of Jura and shorter, etc. Sharing the endless run along Iron Crag with Jos Naylor during an Ennerdale, and his words of wisdom; finishing a few minutes a head of him when I was at my prime and he 25 years my senior was very humbling !
• Heb 2008 as a Pair with Louise 'Wilko' Wilkinson - a very hard week's race.

The Team

The success of NAV+art courses has been due to an excellent team of tutors who have worked with me for a while and have helped shape and refine the programme. All the team either work as outdoor tutors now or have done in the past. Some have proper jobs, too, but most importantly they have real event experience. The team strength is that we collectively have a wealth of hard fought real experience, and none of us, with the exception of Marcus, would claim to be really elite or 'sharp end' competitors. We are just pretty good at what we do. I'm fortunate that many good people have worked for NAV+art, and contribute to a great team. Here are the main players;

John Allen  

John quickly established himself as a mainstay in our team due to is all round strength and AR experience. I first met him when he did our GL3Day event a few years ago and have seen him record some impressive results over the last few years, all attained in a magnificently sporting manner. John planned last year's Open24 event in Northumberland.

He knows how to keep a team together and go well all the way to the finish. His navigational score strategy is brilliant - he's taught me a few things recently. John and I did the KIMM Long Score in 2006; enjoying a steady round to finish 24th overall. John is a great mountain biker and MTB 'O' specialist. Creditable results include:

• Lakes Open 24 mixed category 1st place 2005
• Open 5 mixed category Series Winners 2005, 2nd in 2006
• Ace Races Lakes 2004 4th place as the Team of Extraordinary Gentlemen
• Ace Race 'XXX' 2004 4th place as the Team of Extraordinary Gentlemen
• 5th place British Adventure Racing Championships 2003
• Ace Races 'XX' Wales and 'XXX' Lakes 2003, 4th and 8th respectively
• Wilderness ARC NAV+art team member / co-leader in 2006, and
• ARWC in 2007

Stuart Smith

Stuart is a full-time Outdoor Pursuits instructor and development trainer, and often takes the lead role on our Masterclass 'One-2-One' days/weekends.  He has climbed and travelled all over the world. He's also been compared to a mix of Peter Kay, Alexi Sayle and Eddie Izzard - he's got a sense of humour. He is also a very accomplished mountain athlete and does himself justice in mountain marathons and MTB events. He also paddles, and flys kites .... check out his blog for more info or to contact him directly.

http://aim-adventureinmind.blogspot.com/

Marcus Scotney

The opposite of me - small petite, fast and furious he is our ultra-light weight fanatic. Marcus has worked on the NAV+ art programme for at least eight years. Listening to him talk about lightweight kit is fascinating. After many years as a top class orienteer and fell-runner, and Mountain Marathoner he has represented England Team GB in 100km road races. He recently won The Round Rotherham 50mile event. He used to quote the High Peak marathon as being his favourite race before he got into Ultra running.  Other creditable results include:

• 1st KIMM A-class 2002
• Good positions in the KIMM Elite in 2004 and 2005
• High Peak Marathon - recent wins and top three placings.
• Marcus also planned the OMM in 2006.

Pete Smith

Pete has been a loyal team member for many years. Ex-Outdoor Ed tutor turned IT whiz he is the real gentleman of the team. A very fit, very mellow and very excellent tutor and coach is how I would describe Pete. Pete will undo the mysteries of map and compass to the biggest sceptic.

Ric and Carol

I've worked with them both for a long time in the free-lance Outdoor industry.

They run their own company based out in West Cumbria so you can read more about them at www.carolclimb.co.uk.  Carol and Ric are truly professional in all they do. Sometimes it seems Ric was doing KIMM's before I was born, and he has planned events too. What he doesn't know about the outdoors isn't worth knowing. Carol proudly states that she enjoys a more leisurely pace to her outings but is a first rate all round mountaineer. Carol and Ric also teach and assess Mountain Leader Training Awards, amongst many other things and their teaching skills are first class.

Want to join our team?

I'm always interested to hear from people willing to join our team. No formal skills or qualifications are necessary, but are useful; real life experience is essential.  Contact me if you feel you can contribute.

We'll also be hosting some 'Club NAV4' training days / weekends soon.