Thousands of runners braved the weather to take part in the Nos Galan road races on New Year's Eve. The road race held in Mountain Ash is a calendar highlight for many but has not taken place in person since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Saturday December 31 saw the event return after three years after virtual races in 2020 and 2021, with thousands braving the weather to take to the streets despite heavy rain which saw Wales issued with a yellow warning on Friday. The return of the event had been hotly anticipated with over 1,500 people signing up by October after its return was announced.
The event is run each year to remember legendary local runner Guto Nyth Bran and was started by schoolteacher Bernard Baldwin in 1958. In recent years celebrity runners have taken part in the event, with their identities kept secret until the last minute.
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As well as a fine array of runners of all skills, Saturday saw plenty of props and costumes as well as the unveiling of this year's mystery runner - rugby star George North, who happily greeted onlookers on Saturday evening before the race got underway. The last in-person event back in 2019 saw former referee Nigel Owens revealed as that year's runner.
Ospreys and Wales star North appeared to the public at the Brynffynon Hotel before attending the Guto Nyth Bran Memorial Service at St Gwynno’s Church and laying a wreath on the grave of Griffith Morgan and appearing in Mountain Ash town centre just after 6pm, being escorted through Cilhaul Terrace, Llanwonno Road, High Street, and Pryce Street with the torch usually carried by the mystery runner.
While it was a bit of a wet one, there's no doubt locals and runners alike were thrilled to see the smiling faces of those taking part as they grinned through the pain (and rain) to get over the finish line. As well as those for whom the event is a serious undertaking and are aiming for a medal, there are those who like to have a bit of fun - including dressing as dinosaurs!
Nos Galan road races began in 1958 and was launched by the late Bernard Baldwin MBE. When its return was announced earlier this year, councillor Ann Crimmings, chair of the Nos Galan Committee, said: “This is the news everyone has been waiting for and we cannot wait for the return of Nos Galan Road Races to the streets of Mountain Ash. It’s been a tough couple of years and the future of the races has been secured thanks to the immense support of those who adapted the way they ‘kept the legend alive’ during the difficulties presented by coronavirus, taking to the county borough’s streets, parks, and gyms to complete their 5k challenges."
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