BREAKING POINTS AND BREAKTHROUGHS - LESSONS FROM THE APEX CHALLENGE.

The APEX challenge pushed us to the edge — 48 hours to climb the height of Everest by repeatedly ascending Helvellyn in the Lake District. It was wet, steep, relentless, and exactly the kind of test we needed on our road to the Atlantic. Here’s what we learned from it - and where we broke.

APEX is an endurance event held in the Lake District, where teams or individuals have 48 hours to climb the equivalent height of Mount Everest by completing repeated ascents of Helvellyn.

It’s simple in theory — brutal in practice. The terrain is steep and technical, the weather unpredictable, and recovery almost non-existent. For us, it was a chance to test physical endurance, mental resilience, and teamwork under pressure — all things we’ll need in the Atlantic.

We just didn’t expect it to bite quite that hard.

Jon - A Torrid Time on the Trails

By lap three, Jon realised he had a problem — none of his trail shoes could handle the slippery, muddy descents. Every downhill became a fight to stay upright, and with six laps still to go, it turned into a test of sheer stubbornness.

Then came the Achilles. Four half-laps left when it started to give out.

He hauled himself up the climbs, body protesting, before instinct took over on the final ascent. He flew over the line — battered, but not beaten.

Martin — Finding Form on New Ground

Martin had never done anything like APEX before. No big trail-running background, no real reference point — just a willingness to see what he could do.

He finished 6.5 laps, short of the nine he was aiming for, but the progress was clear. From zero running to hitting the trails regularly and keeping pace on every climb. The descents still need work — more skill than fitness — but the engine is there.

Scott — Holding It Together

Scott’s effort was all grit. Every lap was a battle against pain — the kind that would’ve stopped most people.

Between laps he was bathing in magnesium spray and diving into the sports massage tent for another quick fix before heading back out again.

No one’s quite sure how he finished, but he did. Every rep, every climb.

What We Took From It

APEX showed us that endurance isn’t about numbers — it’s about response.

When things stop going to plan, when the body says “enough,” when the environment works against you — how do you react?

Those are the same moments we’ll face out on the Atlantic: exhaustion, discomfort, uncertainty. The ability to keep moving when it all starts to unravel is what this is about.

Why It Matters

Each of these challenges is part of our build-up to rowing the Atlantic in 2026 — and part of our mission to raise money for Move Against Cancer and Young Lives vs Cancer.

The pain we choose is temporary, but it reminds us why we’re doing this. For those who don’t get to choose their battles.

Next up: Battle Cancer London.

Nine stations. Ninety minutes. All max effort.

A different kind of test — same mindset.