Crowds Enjoy 50th Nos Galan Race
January 2, 2009
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 street 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 as a runner and, more recently, as an organiser, since he was a child.
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.
Along with the runners in the adult race, a group of Nordic walkers also took part, using poles to make their walking more effective.
Founder of the races, Bernard Baldwin, who is now in his eighties, was also a special guest on the night.
Cllr Andrew Morgan of the Nos Galan committee, who ran the adult race in aid of the mayor’s charities, said: “It was a wonderful night and a fitting way to celebrate the 50th anniversary.”
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