Bristol pub landlord swaps pints for push-ups to take on Bristol 10k - dressed as ‘beer Jesus’

A pub landlord is running the Bristol 10k this year in memory of his late father - and plans to run the race as a ‘beer Jesus’.

Ben Cheshire, owner of The Coronation in Southville, has decided to take on the course this month as he works to rebuild his fitness while raising money for Parkinson’s UK after his father Bryan died with the decease.

And Ben might stick out from the hundreds of runners who take part, as he considers racing as ‘beer Jesus’ in a nod ot his pub and his long hair and beard.

Ben, who has been at the pub for 11 years, said: “The last few years have been hectic and Covid was a nightmare. I got stressed out and ended up with a bit of a gut after swapping hours at the gym for hours spent drinking pints instead.

“I found I’d really let my health slip and, after my father’s death, I wanted to start looking after myself more. He was always very independent, but it got to the point where he really deteriorated and he couldn’t use his hands. So I’ve dedicated this year to getting healthy.”

The AJ Bell Great Bristol Run is the first of Ben’s fitness challenges for 2023 and will be followed by a triathlon the following month and a Tough Mudder in August. Despite his busy work life, Ben’s training focuses on three-hour sessions twice per week, including swimming, spinning and running 5k.

He started his training in November and has persisted with his goals, apart from being forced to pause for a couple of months to recover from a skiing accident earlier this year.

He said: “When I first started training, I struggled to do a 5k but now it’s easy. I thought I’d miss going for a pint, but it’s become my routine now. The other Friday the gym was shut for maintenance and I was cross about that, so it’s a sign of how much I’ve got into this. A year ago I wouldn’t have imagined being disappointed not to be able to go to the gym on a Friday evening!”

While he spends less of his own time socialising over a few drinks these days, Ben is considering running as a ‘beer Jesus’ in a nod to his role at The Coronation.

“I have long hair and a beard and my costume would include cans of some of the non-alcoholic beers I sell at the pub,” he explains. “So if any of my customers come along to support me, I’d be easy to spot!”

Entries for the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run 10k, Half Marathon and Family Run, which take place on Sunday 14 May, are still open at www.greatrun.org/great-bristol-run.

You can donate to Ben in aid of Parkinson’s UK here: https://shorturl.at/rwyAO