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December 29, 2009
Who are the 2009 Nos Galan mystery runners?
Two Welsh sports stars will be the mystery runners at the 2009 Nos Galan Races on New Year’s Eve.
Every year a mystery runner - whose identity is kept secret until the night of the event - joins the famous races through Mountain Ash town centre.
This year, two well-known sports stars will lay a wreath at legendary runner Guto Nyth Bran’s grave in Llanwonno graveyard after a special service at Llanwonno Church, then follow the route down to Mountain Ash town centre.
Ann Crimmings of the Nos Galan committee, which organises the Races, said: “We look forward to welcoming our mystery runners and hope hundreds of people will come along on the night to discover who they are and enjoy what promises to be a great evening.
“Many thanks to all our sponsors who are backing this year’s Races, including our latest sponsors, Tesco of Aberdare. They have kindly donated 1,200 ‘Crazy Caramel’ chocolate bars for runners on the night.”
December 10, 2009
Park and ride to the Races
A free park and ride service will operate again this year for people travelling to the Nos Galan Races on New Year’s Eve.
A 40-seater shuttle bus will run every 10-15 minutes from Mountain Ash Comprehensive school to the Town Hall from 3.30pm until 9pm.
Anyone travelling to the event is urged to use this free service at the school site, due to restricted parking in the town centre. The parking area will be staffed by security staff and Nos Galan stewards
Andrew Morgan, of the Nos Galan committee, said: “The races attracted almost 10,000 people to the town centre last year and we are expecting similar numbers this year. So we would ask people travelling from outside the town to please use the free shuttle service.”
Mountain Ash Comprehensive School is about one mile north of Mountain Ash in New Road on the A4059. Please follow the AA signs on the A4059 to the parking area.
December 7, 2009
Young athletes support the 2009 mystery runners
Two young members of Aberdare Amateur Athletic Club have been selected to join the ‘mystery runner’ at the Nos Galan Races on New Year’s Eve, 2009.
Each year, a famous sporting personality takes part in the races in Mountain Ash, and their identity is not revealed until the night. Young athletes Gareth Baker and Daniel Bodman, both 19, will be this year’s support runners on December 31.
Gareth, of Trecynon, has been a member of Aberdare Valley Amateur Athletic Club since the age of 10. He has always had a keen interest in athletics and competed for Aberdare Valley AAC in track and field, road running and cross country competitions.
He has also helped coaches during training sessions and assisted with training schedules and internal fitness activities such as circuits. This year, he passed his Level 1 Athletic Coaching course. He has been selected to enrol on the Level 2 course.
Gareth enjoys playing football and has taken part in Under-14 and Under-16 teams. He currently plays for his employer Tesco’s football team. His other interests include music and keeping fit.
Daniel, of Cwmaman, came third in the Adult section of the Nos Galan Races in 2006 and 2007. He was South Wales regional champion in 3000 metres and 1500m steeplechase and Glamorgan Valley school champion in triplejump, 1500m, 400m hurdles and 1500 steeplechase.
This year, he came second in the Welsh Championship over 1500m and became Welsh inter-regional champion over 3000m. He was also Welsh schools runner-up over 2000 steeplechase and third over 400m hurdles.
Daniel, who is Gwent league (cross country) senior team captain, also enjoys taking part in other sports, including football, and going to the cinema.
On the evening of Nos Galan, Gareth and Daniel will join the mystery runner at Llanwonno Church, where there is a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate legendary runner Guto Nyth Bran. The three will run on into Mountain Ash town centre, where the races are held.
Cllr Andrew Morgan of the Nos Galan committee, who organise the popular races, said: “We are delighted that Daniel and Gareth will be joining us on the night. Both young athletes have achieved such a lot and are excellent role models.”
October 29, 2009
Get set for Nos Galan with nine-week running plan
People hoping to take part in this year's Nos Galan Races are being helped on their way with a special running plan.
The 'Couch to 5K' plan - which can be downloaded here - gives tips on how people can get ready for the races, to be held in Mountain Ash on New Year's Eve 2009.
Suggestions for week one include a brisk walk followed by jogging and walking for 20 minutes, as the first of three weekly training sessions. By week nine, runners should be ready for a brisk five-minute walk, followed by a 30-minute jog.
Cllr Ann Crimmings, Secretary of Aberdare Amateur Athletics Club said: "The guide is particularly useful for people who fancy running the race for the first time. We do advise participants to consult their doctor beforehand if they have never done this type of activity before.
"The 2008 races were a huge success, with runners of all abilities taking part, so if you'd like to take part in Nos Galan 2009, please try to register in advance."
The Nos Galan Races honour legendary runner Guto Nyth Bran and follow a 5km route around Mountain Ash town centre, with competitions for elite runners and also adults, boys and girls categories. Around 10,000 people turned out for Nos Galan's spectacular 50th anniversary on December 31 2008, when Olympic legend Linford Christie was special guest.
October 23, 2009
Sponsors help races get off the starting blocks
This year’s Nos Galan Races are being helped off the starting blocks by local businesses and organisations who are kindly sponsoring the event.
The races are being supported by five main sponsors – construction company Costain, Amgen Cymru, Fernhill and Glenboi Communities First, Darran Las Communities First and RCT Homes.
Springfield Soft Drinks are also providing water for competitors on the night and Run and Become are providing running jackets for the running clubs set up locally to prepare runners for Nos Galan.
Cllr Andrew Morgan of the Nos Galan committee, the team behind the annual event, said: “We are delighted that our sponsors have chosen to back Nos Galan this year. The sponsorship received helps fund running clubs throughout the county, which is great to boost the event and also gets people active!
“Due to the success of the 2008 races, we would advise people wishing to run in Nos Galan 2009 to register in advance. The event is still 10 weeks away, but more than 150 people have already registered.”
Runners can go to the 'application form' link on www.nosgalan.co.uk to download a form or register online, or call Rhondda Cynon Taf Events team on 01443 425700 for an application form.
August 28, 2009
On your marks for the 2009 Races
Fancy running in this year’s Nos Galan Races? Organisers are now inviting athletes at all levels to register - with competitions for elite runners and also for adults, boys and girls.
Click on the ‘application form’ section of this website to apply online or download a form to take part in the 2009 event.
Runners of all ages and abilities competed in 2008 - many in fancy dress and raising money for charity - and a group of Nordic walkers also took part.
First across the line in the 2008 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.
Winning designs
Local schoolchildren are invited every year to design a poster to help promote the Nos Galan Races.
Artwork by year six pupil Bronwen Matthews from Our Lady's RC Primary School, Miskin, Mountain Ash, was chosen from hundreds of entries to feature on the back cover of the 2008 Nos Galan brochure. Bronwen received £50 for her school and a framed copy of her design. Second prize went to Kyle Davies of Penrhiwceiber Primary School and third prize to Nicholas Lloyd, also of Penrhiwceiber Primary.
Look out for poster competition details coming soon on this page.
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