Last September, following big ambitions to ensure there was a distinctive ROC presence at the summit of our races, we had a trial run to get an appropriately designed summit cairn marker to the top of Scafell Pike.
Working with one of our key sponsors & industry leaders in biophilic design; I WANT PLANTS along with Jake Davies, a marine biologist who had previously started his endurance career with THE ROC Wales and gone on to do some hugely credible and ambitious challenges, the project was launched!
The floral aesthetics now synonymous with THE ROC are produced by I WANT PLANTS, a brand we’re extremely proud to partner with. They strive to push boundaries daily in their industry, their horticultural expertise has led to working on high-level projects all over the UK, a key reason why their unique living wall system, ‘HYVERT’ is scientifically and environmentally validated.
“When THE ROC organisers approached us to create a cairn marker to be carried to the summit by their incredible athletes, we felt extremely honoured. There isn’t a greater example of pushing boundaries with nature than THE ROC competitors!”.
Once THE ROC branded ‘summit cairn’ was created by I WANT PLANTS and looking awesome, we then worked with Jake to attach the strapping in a way that would allow him to carry it comfortably. There was quite a weight to it as it needed to be sturdy to handle the climb up and down along with the elements. So, with almost 20lbs on his back (before his own gear) this was going to be a genuine challenge.
THE ROC Summit Cairn Marker was ready! If all goes well with the test run, we intended to open-up the opportunity for suitable athletes to take on the role as THE ROC SHERPA at each race from 2025 onwards. Apart from the notability and Kudos, there will also be rewards for those that complete the challenge successfully.
Last September, following big ambitions to ensure there was a distinctive ROC presence at the summit of our races, we had a trial run to get an appropriately designed summit cairn marker to the top of Scafell Pike.
Working with one of our key sponsors & industry leaders in biophilic design; I WANT PLANTS along with Jake Davies, a marine biologist who had previously started his endurance career with THE ROC Wales and gone on to do some hugely credible and ambitious challenges, the project was launched!
The floral aesthetics now synonymous with THE ROC are produced by I WANT PLANTS, a brand we’re extremely proud to partner with. They strive to push boundaries daily in their industry, their horticultural expertise has led to working on high-level projects all over the UK, a key reason why their unique living wall system, ‘HYVERT’ is scientifically and environmentally validated.
“When THE ROC organisers approached us to create a cairn marker to be carried to the summit by their incredible athletes, we felt extremely honoured. There isn’t a greater example of pushing boundaries with nature than THE ROC competitors!”.
Once THE ROC branded ‘summit cairn’ was created by I WANT PLANTS and looking awesome, we then worked with Jake to attach the strapping in a way that would allow him to carry it comfortably. There was quite a weight to it as it needed to be sturdy to handle the climb up and down along with the elements. So, with almost 20lbs on his back (before his own gear) this was going to be a genuine challenge.
THE ROC Summit Cairn Marker was ready! If all goes well with the test run, we intended to open-up the opportunity for suitable athletes to take on the role as THE ROC SHERPA at each race from 2025 onwards. Apart from the notability and Kudos, there will also be rewards for those that complete the challenge successfully.
JAKE’S EXPERIENCE
“The opportunity to take THE ROC sign up Scafell Pike as part of THE ROC England 2024 was a real honour. I had only tackled this mountain once before as part of the National Three Peaks challenge. Standing in T2 at the foot of the rising peaks, a golden sunrise lit up the valley. The air was still and crisp; it almost felt quiet in anticipation of the challenging day ahead. Gazing up at the distant peak, I knew it was going to be a breathtaking ascent and a day filled with energy, excitement and joy.
With the sign loaded up on my back, I began with a calm walk along the flats following the river of the valley. However, it wasn’t long before we were faced with a steep meandering climb up the side of the rocky mountain. Temperatures started to rise, and I began to feel the additional weight of the sign as I reached halfway up. As we continued to ascend, the track was solitary, and the rolling landscape stretched out before us under a perfectly clear sky. When we encountered others, they had plenty of curious looks and questions about why the sign was being carried up. I enjoyed this great opportunity to share further information about the triathlon and the challenges the athletes were facing that day.
Like endurance events, my 8.75km journey up to the summit with the sign was not without physical and emotional trials and tribulations. The constantly undulating terrain, tough technical sections and increasingly steep climbs were a real challenge. The particular route up to Scafell was also tedious at times; I kept thinking I was at the summit, then the path would drop down, only to ascend again at a steep gradient.
Finally, I reached the summit and put THE ROC sign in place. It was a monumental triumph to be at the top of the peak and take in the magnificent landscape of the Lake District stretched out before me. Feeling that sensation of pride, relief and accomplishment echoed how I felt as a participant in THE ROC.”
JAKE’S EXPERIENCE
“The opportunity to take THE ROC sign up Scafell Pike as part of THE ROC England 2024 was a real honour. I had only tackled this mountain once before as part of the National Three Peaks challenge. Standing in T2 at the foot of the rising peaks, a golden sunrise lit up the valley. The air was still and crisp; it almost felt quiet in anticipation of the challenging day ahead. Gazing up at the distant peak, I knew it was going to be a breathtaking ascent and a day filled with energy, excitement and joy.
With the sign loaded up on my back, I began with a calm walk along the flats following the river of the valley. However, it wasn’t long before we were faced with a steep meandering climb up the side of the rocky mountain. Temperatures started to rise, and I began to feel the additional weight of the sign as I reached halfway up. As we continued to ascend, the track was solitary, and the rolling landscape stretched out before us under a perfectly clear sky. When we encountered others, they had plenty of curious looks and questions about why the sign was being carried up. I enjoyed this great opportunity to share further information about the triathlon and the challenges the athletes were facing that day.
Like endurance events, my 8.75km journey up to the summit with the sign was not without physical and emotional trials and tribulations. The constantly undulating terrain, tough technical sections and increasingly steep climbs were a real challenge. The particular route up to Scafell was also tedious at times; I kept thinking I was at the summit, then the path would drop down, only to ascend again at a steep gradient.
Finally, I reached the summit and put THE ROC sign in place. It was a monumental triumph to be at the top of the peak and take in the magnificent landscape of the Lake District stretched out before me. Feeling that sensation of pride, relief and accomplishment echoed how I felt as a participant in THE ROC.”
“After I had set the sign in place at Scafell’s summit, I got ready to welcome and encourage the athletes who were quickly approaching following their swim in Lake Windermere and bike ride to transition. Watching the athletes reaching the peak to run around the summit camp before starting the descent back down took me back to my own experience with the triathlon – feeling the immense relief knowing that the highest point had been reached and it was now downhill toward the third and then final leg of the event. This time though, being at the summit, it was amazing to praise the other athletes’ incredible accomplishments; it was especially rewarding to hear positive comments about having the sign on display up there to celebrate their achievements, knowing how much cheering and supportive words mean to athletes at this integral and quite emotional part of the race.
Before you knew it, all the athletes had been around the summit and it was time to pack down and descend the mountain ourselves, continuing to soak in the incredible scenery on the way down. It was moving to see some of the athletes in the distance making their way down and despite visible physical pain and struggle, showing unfailing determination to carry on and finish the challenge. I felt very connected to them in that moment, which I’m sure every ROC participant shares.
While descending the mountain, I reflected on the community at THE ROC and its lasting legacy, which is illustrated at any of the ROC races. Many participants are reoccurring athletes, either doing the same event multiple times or taking on the challenge as the TRILOGY, in all 3 nations. This shows how exciting, challenging, rewarding and important this event is for athletes, driving them to keep coming back. For others who have felt the impact of such an event, I’m sure the opportunity to take the iconic sign to one of the summits will also provide great meaning, along with the time to celebrate with athletes who are reaching their goals and share these high moments with them.”
“After I had set the sign in place at Scafell’s summit, I got ready to welcome and encourage the athletes who were quickly approaching following their swim in Lake Windermere and bike ride to transition. Watching the athletes reaching the peak to run around the summit camp before starting the descent back down took me back to my own experience with the triathlon – feeling the immense relief knowing that the highest point had been reached and it was now downhill toward the third and then final leg of the event. This time though, being at the summit, it was amazing to praise the other athletes’ incredible accomplishments; it was especially rewarding to hear positive comments about having the sign on display up there to celebrate their achievements, knowing how much cheering and supportive words mean to athletes at this integral and quite emotional part of the race.
Before you knew it, all the athletes had been around the summit and it was time to pack down and descend the mountain ourselves, continuing to soak in the incredible scenery on the way down. It was moving to see some of the athletes in the distance making their way down and despite visible physical pain and struggle, showing unfailing determination to carry on and finish the challenge. I felt very connected to them in that moment, which I’m sure every ROC participant shares.
While descending the mountain, I reflected on the community at THE ROC and its lasting legacy, which is illustrated at any of the ROC races. Many participants are reoccurring athletes, either doing the same event multiple times or taking on the challenge as the TRILOGY, in all 3 nations. This shows how exciting, challenging, rewarding and important this event is for athletes, driving them to keep coming back. For others who have felt the impact of such an event, I’m sure the opportunity to take the iconic sign to one of the summits will also provide great meaning, along with the time to celebrate with athletes who are reaching their goals and share these high moments with them.”
JAKE’S STORY
Taking on THE ROC was an unforgettable day and a day where I really learnt a lot about myself both physically and mentally. It also unlocked in me a curiosity to go further. During the day, I felt a turbulent mix of emotions, especially at two points: one was arriving at the base of Snowdon, feeling the past 50km of bike distance in the legs and preparing to ascend England and Wales’ highest mountain. Secondly, the bike homewards – I reached a small incline coming into Pwllheli knowing it wasn’t that steep and long, but the challenge of the day was really catching up with me and I had no doubts in my mind about how tough the last few kilometres were going to be. Though, the moment of crossing the line was amazing and doing it in a faster time than I had expected was an incredible surprise. But it was the feeling of success and the release of endorphins that really hit home, and sparked thoughts of more events and longer distances.
THE ROC has played a fundamental part in motivating me to take on big, ambitious challenges over the past couple of years. Personally, curiosity is my biggest driver towards long distance events and challenges, I feel curious of how far I’m able to physically and mentally go, knowing that the body will want to give in first but with consistency, resilience is built in the mind to be able to push on and get to the end. Through some of the many difficult training sessions, long events and big challenges I often recall back to moments within THE ROC Wales where I hit the wall a few times but pushed through to finish the race and experienced that endorphin filled moment after crossing the line and knowing it’s all done. Prior to THE ROC, it had been years since I had done any endurance events which back then consisted of sailing 29er skiffs at National and International level rather than large running or swimming achievements. But being part of THE ROC events as an athlete and a crew member has had a profound impact on my personal journey as an athlete and leading into the world of endurance sports.
JAKE’S STORY
Taking on THE ROC was an unforgettable day and a day where I really learnt a lot about myself both physically and mentally. It also unlocked in me a curiosity to go further. During the day, I felt a turbulent mix of emotions, especially at two points: one was arriving at the base of Snowdon, feeling the past 50km of bike distance in the legs and preparing to ascend England and Wales’ highest mountain. Secondly, the bike homewards – I reached a small incline coming into Pwllheli knowing it wasn’t that steep and long, but the challenge of the day was really catching up with me and I had no doubts in my mind about how tough the last few kilometres were going to be. Though, the moment of crossing the line was amazing and doing it in a faster time than I had expected was an incredible surprise. But it was the feeling of success and the release of endorphins that really hit home, and sparked thoughts of more events and longer distances.
THE ROC has played a fundamental part in motivating me to take on big, ambitious challenges over the past couple of years. Personally, curiosity is my biggest driver towards long distance events and challenges, I feel curious of how far I’m able to physically and mentally go, knowing that the body will want to give in first but with consistency, resilience is built in the mind to be able to push on and get to the end. Through some of the many difficult training sessions, long events and big challenges I often recall back to moments within THE ROC Wales where I hit the wall a few times but pushed through to finish the race and experienced that endorphin filled moment after crossing the line and knowing it’s all done. Prior to THE ROC, it had been years since I had done any endurance events which back then consisted of sailing 29er skiffs at National and International level rather than large running or swimming achievements. But being part of THE ROC events as an athlete and a crew member has had a profound impact on my personal journey as an athlete and leading into the world of endurance sports.
APPLY TO BE THE ROC SHERPA
If you would like the honour of being THE ROC Sherpa at any of our races then please get in touch. You need to truly believe you have got what it takes to carry THE ROC Summit Cairn Marker to the summit of the mountain, set it up, give strong support to each of the participants, then carry it back down again.
You need to email us advising which race you would like to do this for, providing strong reasoning why you are the person for the job and any past achievements or background information that means taking on the challenge would have great meaning to you.