Further to my previous post, here is some info on the event:-
William Hill Man vs Horse Marathon 2004 :
The twenty-fifth running will take place on June 12th 2004, in Llanwrtyd
Wells, Mid Wales. £25,000 up for grabs for first runner to beat the
first horse and rider. ENTRY DETAILS...01591 610270
HOW IT STARTED - Chatting over a pint one night Neuadd Arms, Landlord
Gordon Green overheard two men discussing the relative merits of man and
horse. After several pints one was brave (or foolish!) enough to suggest
that over a significant distance across country, man was equal to any
horse. After several more pints, the inevitable challenge was made, at
which point Gordon decided that rather than this be a private argument,
it should be put to the test in full public view. This is exactly what
has happened every year since then. It transpires that there is a
historic precedent for this event. Early in the 18th century, one Guto
Nyth-Bran is reported to have raced against a horse in Cardiganshire and
won the race. (Incidentally, we would strongly advise all wives,
husbands or lovers to refrain from slapping their loved-ones on the back
should he or she win the race, since this is how poor Guto met his
untimely death after one such race!) The actual pitting of man against
horse in a marathon, though, appears to be unique to the annual event in
Llanwrtyd Wells. The first race took place in June 1980. In 1982 the
course was changed to provide a more even match between horse and runner
and in 2000 the fastest horse beat the runner by only 80 seconds!
AND THEN MOUNTAIN BIKES - In 1985 mountain bikes were introduced to the
race and Jacqui Phelan, US Ladies' Champion, was just minutes behind the
first horse. In 1989 Tim Gould, Cycles Peugeot UK, beat the horse by
nearly 3 minutes. This was the first time the winning horse had been
beaten by a mountain cyclist and Tim won £5,000 from William Hill for
his fine achievement. The bookies also had to pay out a bonus in 1995
and 1996 when a relay team came home ahead of the first horse.
Unfortunately mountain bikes have not been allowed to participate in the
races held since 1994 because of an anomaly in the law, which forbids
bicycles to race on bridleways. The department of Transport has
recognised this and proposals to change the law are being sought. Once
the law has been changed, bikes will again be allowed to participate in
the marathon itself and race against runners and horses.
TO WATCH THE RACE - Vantage point details for spectators will be
available on the day. The organisers would be most grateful if
spectators would respect the generosity of the landowners in allowing
the event to take place over their land by keeping all cars on the road.
AND FINALLY - BOOST YOUR ENERGY - The organisers will be holding a
pasta party on the Friday evening before the race at the Neuadd Arms in
the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells. This stamina boosting food is free of
charge to all competitors. The party starts at 7pm and finishes at 9pm
- so make sure you arrive on time and have your entry receipt ready.
All competitors will receive their entry as confirmation of their place
in the race.
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