Pilot Penarth pub landlord Francois smashes ultra marathon

There’s not many in Penarth who haven’t been placed under the spell of French charm cast by Mr Francois Commeureuc-Cherot – who runs one of the town’s most famous pubs, The Pilot.

But did you know that when Francois isn’t making sure the punters round Queens Road aren’t expertly fed and ‘watered’, he’s a keen runner.

In June 2024 Francois took on the Solomon MaXi-Race series’ “tOur-du-Lac” – a gruelling 94km running challenge in the Alps running round Lac d’Annecy, just South of Geneva.

This year, in May, Francois conquered his second running challenge; Ultra-Trail des Paiens, held near Strasbourg in Alsace, an ultra-trail race marathon 109km long.

His aim was to complete it in 24 hours, but Francois blew away his target time, completing it in just 16 hours! 

And in emotional scenes, caught on camera, at the end of the race, Francois’ family, including his mother and his nieces and nephews, waited for him at the line where they all crossed the finish together.

Francois says he does these challenges as a test, to see what his body can do.

“I like to do something different,” explained Francois, “doing events that not many other people can say they have achieved.”

Francois recently completed a ultra-trail race marathon 109km long (Image: Francois)

And how do you train for such monumental challenges? You run up and down Pen Y Fan of course!

Francois does this multiple times ahead of a race event, and if he is short on time locked in long shifts at the Pilot, he’ll squeeze in a few sprints up Custom House Hill!

Francois’ family came to support him (Image: Francois)

Francois completed the run in 16 hours (Image: Francois)

Francois’ efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by his colleagues at the Pilot, including business partner Serge Luceau who said: “Francois always puts his heart and soul into everything he does, whether that’s pouring pints, serving customers, or running up and down the Alps!

“It is very impressive what he does.”

Manager Jo Morgan added: “We are hugely proud of what Francois has achieved. He is an inspiration to us all.”

The Pilot is located on Queens Road in Penarth and serves food and drink including buy one get one free Thursdays on selected mains. The Pilot also plans for its famous beer festival in August.