Guto Nyth Brân

It was said that his talent first came to prominence as he was helping his father herd sheep when he managed to chase and catch a wild hare.

One such legend has him running from his home to the local town of Pontypridd and back, a total distance of some 7 miles (11 km), before his mother's kettle had boiled.

[3] The first race organised by Siân o'r Siop saw Guto taking on an unbeaten English captain over a distance of 4 miles on Hirwaun Common.

But the race took a fatal toll on Guto: it is reputed that during the post-race celebrations he collapsed and died in his lover's arms after an over vigorous congratulatory back-slap.

The race was created by Mountain Ash resident Bernard Baldwin, a PE teacher in Pontypridd and a President[dubious – discuss] of the Amateur Athletic Association, in 1958 as a memorial.

The statue in bronze of Guto Nyth Brân in the centre of Mountain Ash was commissioned by Mid Glamorgan County Council in 1990 and sculpted by Peter Nicholas.

Guto Nyth Bran statue, Oxford Street, Mountain Ash , Wales
Guto Nyth Brân's gravestone, where a wreath is laid before the Nos Galan race