NOS GALAN PIC SPECIAL
Thousands line streets for annual event
WALES football manager Chris Coleman was revealed as the 2016 Mystery Runner as thousands of people turned out for the Nos Galan in Mountain Ash.
The man behind Wales’ sensational run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals during the summer became the latest sporting personality to star in the traditional New Year’s Eve event in the Cynon Valley – a day after he was named on the Queen’s New Year honours list where he received an OBE for his services to football.
He was unveiled to a crowd outside the Brynfynnon Hotel in Llanwonno where he met local people and pulled a pint behind the bar as is the tradition of the event.
He then carried the torch from Guto Nyth Bran’s graveside at St Gwynno’s Church in Llanwonno, down the hillside to Mountain Ash town centre four miles away.
There he waved off runners in the children’s races, an elite race and an adult’s 5k fun run.
Coleman said: “It is a huge honour for me to be a part of the Nos Galan Road Races, an event that is world renowned and an event with such a wonderful history.
“I am particularly proud to be in Mountain Ash, which was the hometown of my grandmother before she moved to Swansea, so I am all too familiar with the Nos Galan Road Races and the legend of Guto Nyth Bran.”
The 2016 Nos Galan elite race was won by Kristian Jones in 14 minutes and 11 seconds.
He was two seconds clear of runner-up Ieuan Thomas and a further five seconds ahead of Alex George in third.
Charlotte Arter was the first woman across the line in 16 minutes exactly – 29 seconds ahead of Nicole Roberts and a further four seconds ahead of Kerry O’Flaherty in third.
The senior race saw Christopher Banfield-Evans triumph in 19 minutes and 51 seconds.
The race for 14 and 15 year-olds was won by Trystan Leech and Nia Clatworthy, and the aged 12 and 13 category saw Jacob Reynolds and Aimee Callow excel.
Lewis Jacobs and Jemima Robinson were first past the finish line in the 10-11 year-olds category, and Oliver Reynolds won the 8-9 years race.
Event organisers RCT Council and the Nos Galan Committee said they were delighted with the way the 2016 event went, and how Wales’ football manager starred as the Mystery Runner.
Ann Crimmings, RCT cabinet member for environment, leisure and culture, and chairwoman of the Committee, said: “Once again this year, the Nos Galan Road Races were a huge success, thanks to the amazing support of everyone involved and everyone who was a part of the biggest New Year’s Eve party in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
“Chris Coleman was given a wonderful welcome as our Nos Galan Mystery Runner and it was such a huge hour to have the Wales football manager ending a wonderful year for him and the Wales squad by being a part of our event.”
Founder’s sad death: See Page 15