THE ROC SCOTLAND
Kinlochleven, Argyll
Foyers Road, Kinlochleven, PH50 4, United KingdomSat 7th October 2023
Starting at 08:00
1 race
£220.00
Organiser's Description
73km and 4,265ft elevation with a total ascent of 7,874ft
A unique and epic event from Glencoe to the top of the UKs’ highest mountain and back.
There’s no other endurance triathlon like it. Loch swim, 2 transitions 26km’s apart. 5 stages and the UKs’ highest mountain.
SWIM | BIKE | MOUNTAIN | BIKE | RUN
What's Included
- Extensive Race Support
- Bespoke Zinc Alloy Medals
- Large Prize Fund
- Event Commentry & Entertainment
Parking
Location
Course Details
Kicking off in Kinlochleven on the dramatic shoreline of Loch Leven, THE ROC Scotland starts with a 1.5km swim before heading off 27km on ‘gravel/mountain’ bike round the north east end of the stunning loch and up into the Glens, joining the old military trail road to Fort William and Glen Nevis Transition at the western end of the Grampian Mountains. The race then heads off on foot up the UK’s highest mountain, with 4,265 feet of intense assent to the summit of Ben Nevis and a 17km total trek up and down. The return bike leg takes you 26km back to Kinlochleven and a 1.5km trail run to the finish line in the centre of the village.
(THE ROC SCOTLAND COURSE REQUIRES A GRAVEL OR MOUNTAIN BIKE, with 23km’s on road, 9km’s on fast trail and 6km’s on rougher trail.
SWIM COURSE (1,500 meters)
Starts with a swimming start in the old harbour of Kinlochleven, covering a rectangular course on the north east end of the strunning Lock Leven. An anti-clockwise route round the course marked with large yellow buoys and back to the harbour, up the steps onto the grass to collect your running shoes.
N.B. There is a 1km run to transition (click here for the route)
BIKE COURSE (26 Kilometers – Out)
This is a bike course synominous with the rugged terrain for the Highlands. A stunning exhilarating course with plenty of sweeping fast sections, a stack of hills, but plenty of trails too that will require a gravel or mountain bike, with a landscape that is straight out of an epic film!
There’s roughly 6km that is a bit rough and rugged to mix it up in true Highlands spirit!
BEN NEVIS MOUNTAIN (8.25 Kilometers each way)
An intense dramatic route up the UK’s highest mountain. A good clear path takes you on a continual ascent till it opens out onto a plateau just before the summit. Following the cairns and passing the 2 notorious gullies you’ll reach the highest point in the UK and the turn around point. You can then enjoy the fast & furious run back down. N.B. On the way up you will need to pass the Check Point 5km up Ben Nevis before 12:00pm to be able to progress to the summit.
BIKE COURSE (26 Kilometers – Back)
Taking the reverse route back of this outstanding course. Some great trails mixed with long stretches of hilly roads. It’s a tough but captivating route back to the finish.
FINAL TRAIL RUN (1.5 Kilometer)
The finish adds that final challenge with a 1.5km trail run round the ‘island’ and through to the finish line in front of the Isles of Glencoe.
GENERAL RECAP
1.5km swim (with 1km to transition) | 26km bike | 8.25km up Ben Nevis | 8.25km down Ben Nevis | 26km bike return to Kinlochleven | 1.5km trail run
race day info
7:40am – Safety Briefing (any last safety information not covered in the safety video)
8:00am – Start
12 Noon – Ben Nevis 5km Cut-off?
TERMS & CONDITIONS All entrants must abide by the race T&C’s. These can be read during the entry process or you can
BIKE REQUIREMENT You will require a gravel bike for this event, or a mountain bike. A road bike will not be suitable for
the trail section!
RACE PACKS You will receive the Digital Race Pack 4 weeks in advance of the race and then another version with any final tweaks for race day 1 week before the race. These are only sent out via email containing all the information & instructions you need in preparation for race day. It includes details of where to register and to collect your race bibs, timing tags, transitions etc.
Registration is on the evening prior to the race. We highly recommend attending. If for some reason you won’t be able to arrive until race morning then you will need to book in an emergency registration slot.
WATER TEMPERATURE Wearing of wetsuits for the swim discipline will be mandatory. British Triathlon Federation rules will be abide by which could result in a shortened swim course or removal of the swim altogether if temperatures dictate. If removed altogether a 1.5km trail run will be added to the start of the race.
TRANSITIONS T1 & T4 is positioned a short distance from the start line. T2 & T3 is positioned at the Ben Nevis Log Cabins in Glen Nevis. During registration you will be given a drawstring bag which you must put your Mountain Kit in for the Ben Nevis leg of the race. This should be in a Trail Running bag or lightweight rucksack and include the following items:
Full waterproof body cover of hooded jacket and trousers (we recommend with taped seams)
Hat/buff
gloves
Water bottle / carrier
High Energy Snacks
Foil Blanket
High Factor Sun Cream
Whistle
Outside your Mountain Kit Bag (but in the drawstring bag):
Appropriate running/trail shoes
Change of clothes (optional)
Your drawstring bag will then be secured overnight and taken to T2 at the Ben Nevis Log Cabins where it will be ready for you once you have racked your bike & removed your helmet and shoes.
The drawstring bag will be inside the changing marquee right next to T2. This will allow you to change undercover but does not provide total privacy!
Once you have removed your items from your bag and are ready to set off, you hang your bag back onto your numbered race peg.
When returning you will collect your bag again to put your Mountain Kit Bag in and any other items you don’t want to take on the bike and put back on your numbered peg.
PRIZES There is £1,000 in prize money for THE ROC Scotland and a prestigious trophy to first man & first woman.
MEDALS & SUSTENANCE Bespoke ROC race medals, water & items like banana’s & chocolate bars will be given to all ROC finishers. Additional water points at the half way point on the return leg of the bike course and at T2/T3 along with additional cakes & banana’s. There is emergency water at the 5km and summit checkpoints on Ben Nevis
TIMING All triathletes will be provided with an ankle tag timing chip, This will record your individual time complete with Ben Nevis Summit time & transition times for both Glencoe & Glen Nevis transition areas.
RESULTS Full results will be available shortly after completion of the race. CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS PAGE.
DRINK & RECHARGE STATIONS Glen Nevis, 5km Ben Nevis Checkpoint, Summit, North Ballachulish (return leg)
THE START The start is at the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven.
race rules
UK Race triathlons are governed by the British Triathlon Federation. All entrants are required to abide by all applicable British Triathlon rules and regulations found in the BTF Rulebook.
Competitors must be 18 or over to enter and take part in THE ROC
Wearing of wetsuits for the swim discipline will be mandatory.
Swim distances are determined by the lake temperature using BTF rules. Should the lake temperature be below 11 degrees then a 1.5km trail run will replace the swim.
This is a no drafting event.
A cut off time will be in force at the Check Point 5km up Ben Nevis. Any competitor who does not reach this point by 12 NOON will be instructed not to head to the summit but to turn around and complete the course from there. Race officials will be advised and you will receive a different medal when you cross the finish line.
Unless you are an affiliated member of the British Triathlon Federation you must purchase a Day License Membership at registration. This provides you with third party liability insurance. It’s valid on the day of your competition and cannot be transferred. Please be prepared to pay £5 for your membership at registration. Please present your day or annual membership at registration.
Triathletes will not hold the race organiser responsible for any injury or loss
Registrants understand that the final decision for the commencement of the race to go ahead on the day is that of the race organisers “Sensation Group” only.
Event organisers are able to amend the course route at any time and without prior notification.
All registrants must agree to the Race Terms & Conditions when entering.