AS IRON SHARPENS IRON..! 

Event chaplains have fascinating opportunities to share their faith. One such chaplain is triathlon star Pat Cooke-Rogers…

When I committed my life to God in 1995 I had no idea of the crazy journey he would take me on. He took an overweight, unfit, totally un-athletic mother of four and threw me into the world of triathlon. Within six years he had taken me to two World Championships and my first Ultra – without me ever being any good at swimming, cycling or running!

At a race in Hawaii I found a pre-race service called ‘Ironprayer’. God told me to take it back to the UK. Much against my will I did, and this evolved into chaplaincy – even before I knew what chaplaincy was!

This year, God willing, I will have worked as chaplain for four event organisers at 14 races for 60+ days in England, Scotland, Wales, Sweden and Canada. I will have spoken with hundreds of athletes, family members, event staff and local people. I will have celebrated and commiserated with athletes, hugged many of them and made countless cups of tea! It is an immense and humbling privilege to walk alongside so many people, and to try to show them the love that Jesus has shown me.



Event chaplaincy is exhausting, exhilarating, boring, intense, distressing, exciting and wonderful. You walk many miles, get hot, cold, wet and wind blown (possibly all in the same day!) but you are alongside so many people with so many opportunities to be Jesus for them.

There are hundreds of events in the UK without chaplains, maybe there are some near you? 

If you have been inspired by Pat, why don't you join - see her 2026 schedule here

*Triathlon photos were taken by Huw Fairclough, and the Arctic one with the bike by Mark Kelly