Football star John Hartson and rugby star Mark Taylor were the mystery runners at the 2010 Nos Galan Races in Mountain Ash on New Year’s Eve.
Every year, at least one sporting personality joins the famous races and their identities are kept secret until the night of the event and this year, organisers were delighted to welcome the two sportsmen.
John Hartson is a former Welsh international footballer, best known for his time with West Ham and Celtic. Hartson featured prominently for Wales, earning 51 caps until his international retirement in 2006. He retired from professional football in January 2008.
In July 2009, it was revealed that he was facing treatment for testicular cancer and had undergone emergency neurosurgery on his brain. Following treatment, by December 2009, the cancer had been virtually eradicated from his body.
John set up the John Hartson Foundation to raise awareness of testicular cancer and to raise funds to support cancer organisations across the UK, and a donation will be made to the charity for his appearance at Nos Galan.
Mark Taylor made his debut for Pontypool in 1992 before joining Swansea and was the Welsh Player of the Year in 2000. In the 2003-2004 season, Taylor was a member of the Llanelli Scarlets team that won the newly-formatted Celtic League.
He made his Wales debut against South Africa in 1994 and went on to make 53 appearances for his country. Five years after his debut, South Africa provided another significant contribution to his Wales career as he scored the first ever try at the Millennium Stadium in the venue’s opening game against the then reigning Rugby World Champions on June 26, 1999.
Taylor became the 114th person to captain Wales and led his country on four separate occasions and a two match stretch as captain against Samoa and USA in 2000 saw him celebrate with a try in each game.
Taylor was a British & Irish Lion in 2001 and scored two tries in five appearances for the Lions on their tour of Australia.
John and Mark laid a wreath at legendary runner Guto Nyth Bran’s grave in Llanwonno graveyard following a special service at Llanwonno Church. They then followed the route from Llanwonno to Mountain Ash town centre. They were supported on their torchlight run by young local athlete Sammy-Jo Morgan aged 15, a member of Aberdare Athletics Club.
Councillor Andrew Morgan of the Nos Galan committee, said: “We were delighted John and Mark were able to join us on the night.”
Nos Galan was supported this year by The Valleys Heart and Soul campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the region as a tourist destination and bring long-term economic benefit to the area.
The Nos Galan Races follow a 5km route around Mountain Ash, with a category for elite runners, a fun run and boys and girls categories.
To find out more, go to www.nosgalan.co.uk
