A historic New Year’s Eve race held in memory of the extraordinary athleticism of a 18th-century hero is poised to attract record numbers of runners and spectators.
The traditional Nos Galan races through the streets of a South Wales Valleys town commemorate Welsh runner, Guto Nyth Bran.
Legend has it that Guto, born in 1700, could catch a bird in flight and once ran to Pontypridd and back – about seven miles – before a kettle boiled.
Last year 4,000 spectators thronged the streets of Mountain Ash to watch more than 500 runners, and organisers are preparing for an even bigger turn-out this year.
Throughout his life Guto contested many races but, because he kept winning, his challengers became fewer and fewer.
Then, when he was 37, he was challenged to run the 12 miles from Newport in Monmouthshire to Bedwas Church, near Caerphilly. Guto easily won the race, but the celebratory slaps on the back proved too much for him and he died in the arms of his sweetheart.
He was buried in the graveyard of Llanwynno Church near Mountain Ash, and before the race begins a mystery runner lays a wreath on his grave.
The Nos Galan event began in 1958, and took its name from the Welsh for New Year’s Eve. In the early days the races took place at midnight so that competitors “ran into” the New Year.
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