Mountain Ash Nos Galan Road Races

Every New Years Eve, a series of road races are held in Mountain Ash in South Wales as a very healthy alternative way of ending the old year. The event has literally been running for well over 50 years and is held in honour of legendary local athlete Guto Nyth Bran; the evening begins with a memorial service to him in St Gwynno’s Church at Llanwonno.A different celebrity Mystery Runner is chosen each year, who makes their way accompanied by Support Runners to the town centre, carrying the Nos Galan torch from the graveside of Guto Nyth Bran which is a distance of about 4 miles. In recent years the Mystery Runners have been Welsh rugby stars and Olympic athletes and the revelation of the identity of the runner is eagerly anticipated by the spectators. While the Mystery Runner is on the way, races begin starting with those for the youngest. When the Mystery Runner arrives, a beacon is lit followed by a fireworks display at the Railway Station, then the races for adults; a prizegiving ceremony rounds off the night at 8pm.Expect around 1500 competitors and a crowd of over 10,000 watching – this is a major event.

Helpful Hints

Competitors must register in advance and when the full capacity is reached for each race, that category is closed, so apply early. Spectators can just turn up on the night.

A park-and-ride service operates on the night from the Comprehensive School on New Road with shuttle buses from 3.30 – 9.30 pm.

Click here for the excellent event website: http://www.nosgalan.co.uk/en/home.aspx