Nos Galan 2008

Around 10,000 people turned out on New Year’s Eve for the Nos Galan Races - and they were delighted to discover Olympic legend Linford Christie was special guest at the event’s 50th anniversary.

Christie - Europe's greatest ever 100m sprinter - was the mystery runner at the 2008 Nos Galan in Mountain Ash. He lay a wreath at legendary runner Guto Nyth Bran’s grave in Llanwonno graveyard before running the route from Llanwonno to Mountain Ash town centre.

Crowds who lined the streets to welcome him were given 50th Nos Galan flags to wave when he reached Oxford Street. After lighting the Nos Galan beacon, Christie said how much he had enjoyed the event: “Enjoyment is an understatement – it’s been brilliant!” he said.
 
On the night, he also presented a special Outstanding Contribution award to Richie Gardiner of Aberdare, who has been involved with Nos Galan since he was a youngster as a runner and - more recently - as an organiser of the event.
 
People of all ages who came along to soak up the atmosphere enjoyed a fireworks display by award-winning Pendragon Fireworks of Cwmbran.
 
A 40-foot tall projection show in the town centre showed images of Nos Galan over the past 50 years.  There was also a live camera feed covering parts of the route and the crowds of spectators.

First across the line in the elite race was Jorge Thomas of Cardiff Athletics Club, in a time of 14 minutes 59 seconds. First female runner home was Leah Dixon, also a member of Cardiff AC, in 17 minutes 57 seconds.

Winner in the adult race was Paul Thomas in 17mins 56 seconds, with Christine Harrhy the first female across the line in 20mins 30seconds. Along with the runners in the adult race, a group of Nordic walkers also took part.

Founder of the races, Bernard Baldwin, who is now in his eighties, was also a special guest on the night, along with Olympic gold medallist David Roberts.

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The Nos Galan Races

The famous Nos Galan Races commemorate the Welsh runner Guto Nyth Bran and his legendary athletic prowess. Held annually on New Year’s Eve in Mountain Ash, in the Cynon Valley, South Wales, the Races follow a 5km route around the town.

December 31st, 2008 is a special date for the Races – as it marks the 50th anniversary of the famous sporting event. Organisers are hoping to attract 1,000 runners this year and there will be competitions for elite runners and also for adults, boys and girls.

Each year, a famous sports personality - whose identity is kept secret until the night - takes part in the races. Mystery runners from previous years have been invited to join the 2008 celebrations.

Stories of Guto Nyth Bran include how he could catch a bird in flight, and how he once ran to Pontypridd and back - about seven miles - before the kettle boiled. Throughout his life, he contested many races and took on many challenges, but because of his continued successes, his challengers became fewer and fewer.

When he was 37, a challenge came from the ‘Prince’ of Bedwas 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, Sian o’r Siop.

His body was taken to its final resting-place in the graveyard of Llanwynno Church near Mountain Ash..