Customer story: A Take on Ultra Running Success, Running in Remission

Ben first got in touch after using Chia Charge bars in training and during the Autumn 100, a 100-mile ultramarathon based around Goring-on-Thames in South Oxfordshire.

He finished the race in 26 hours and 35 minutes.

That would be impressive in any circumstances. But for Ben, it came less than a year after surgery for prostate cancer.

In his message to us, Ben said the bars had worked well during the race, were “really comfortable on the stomach in between stages,” and that the Salted Caramel flavour went down particularly well.

Ben’s running background

Ben has been ultra running since around 2008, taking part in many UK races as well as the CCC at UTMB in Chamonix.

He has also spent 27 years in the fire service, so fitness has long been part of both his work and his life outside work.

In 2024, a colleague who had previously had prostate cancer reminded him about the importance of getting a PSA test.

Ben had his first PSA blood test in May. It came back high. A second test a month later was also high, and he was referred for further scans and tests.

In August 2024, a month after his 50th birthday, Ben was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer. He had surgery for a prostatectomy at the end of November 2024.

Getting back to the trails

After surgery, recovery and several months of rehabilitation, Ben wanted to return to ultra running.

He also wanted to raise money for two charities that had supported him:

The Fire Fighters Charity
Prostate Cancer UK

His fundraising campaign is called Running in Remission.

In 2025, Ben completed:

• UTS 25K in Snowdonia in just over 4 hours
• Race to the King in Sussex, on what he describes as the hottest day of the year, around 34°C
• Autumn 100 in October, finishing in 26 hours and 35 minutes

That is a serious year of running by any standard.

The Autumn 100

The Autumn 100 was Ben’s second ultramarathon after his prostate cancer surgery.

For a 100-mile race, fuelling has to be straightforward. You need food you actually want to eat, that is easy to carry, and that does not cause problems when you are many hours into the event.

Ben used Chia Charge bars in training and during the race. His comment that they were comfortable on the stomach was particularly good to hear, because that is one of the things long-distance runners care about most.

Nobody wants surprises from their food at mile 70.

Why Ben wanted to share his story

Ben is carrying on with more races this year in support of the two charities and to raise awareness for men’s health.

His own words were:

“This year I want to carry on and do more races in support of the two great charities and also raise greater awareness for men.”

That awareness point matters.

Ben’s diagnosis followed a reminder from a colleague to get a PSA test. It is a simple detail in the story, but an important one.

A conversation led to a test.
The test led to further checks.
The checks led to a diagnosis and treatment.

And now Ben is back running ultras and using that experience to help raise funds and awareness.

Support Ben’s fundraising

Ben is raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity and Prostate Cancer UK through his Running in Remission campaign.

You can support his fundraising here:

You can also read more about Ben’s story here on the Fire Fighters Charity

Thank you, Ben

Thanks to Ben for sharing his story with us.

We are pleased Chia Charge bars played a small part in his Autumn 100, but the much bigger story is Ben’s return to running, his fundraising, and his work to raise awareness for other men.

A huge well done from all of us at Chia Charge.  we’ll be cheering you on for the next one.