British Lion and Wales rugby legend Shane Williams was the 2011 Nos Galan Mystery Runner, accompanied by Wales and Ospreys team mate Ian Evans.
More than 1,300 runners participated in this year’s Nos Galan Road Races in Mountain Ash on New Year’s Eve.
It was the biggest field of runners for the past 20 years and organisers Rhondda Cynon Taf Council are delighted with the success of the event.
Shane, 34, was capped 87 times for Wales and retired from international rugby with a spectacular try in the last minute of the game against Australia in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on December 3. He continues to be a key player with regional side Ospreys.
Ian Evans, 27, lives in the Cynon Valley and began his rugby career with Abercwmboi RFC.
Capped 17 times for Wales, he also played in Shane’s last game at the Millennium Stadium in December 2011 and is hoping to be included in Warren Gatland’s Six Nations Squad 2012.
The Nos Galan Road Races, which started in 1958, are run every New Year’s Eve in memory of legendary runner Guto Nyth Bran.
For the first time in its history, the 2011 event included the first-ever Nos Galan Big Sing.
Everyone on the night joined in the singing of the famous Welsh hymn Calon Lan, the official Nos Galan Anthem, led by the children of Caegarw Primary School, Mountain Ash.
Cllr Andrew Morgan, of the Nos Galan Committee said: “Nos Galan has once again been a massive success for us, with thousands of people converging on Mountain Ash town centre.
“We are delighted to once again have had two great sports people, Shane Williams and Ian Evans, representing the spirit of Guto Nyth Bran.
“It is always a great spectacle to see the Nos Galan Mystery Runner making their appearance in Mountain Ash and 2011 was no exception.
“Both Ian and Shane will now go down in history as Nos Galan Mystery Runners, following in the footsteps of the 51 Nos Galan Mystery Runners before them.
“Nos Galan 2011 was a record-breaking year for us, with entries from all over Wales, the UK, and even further afield, and our Nos Galan website has had visitors from all over the world, endorsing the fact that Nos Galan is well and truly a global event.
Nos Galan 2011 consisted of a series of Childrens’ Races, Elite Race and a 5km Adults’ Race as well as a spectacular fireworks display. Other attractions on the day included stilt walkers, funfair rides, fire juggling and street entertainers.
Both Shane and Ian ran down the hillside from St Gwynno’s Church, Llanwono, to a bustling Mountain Ash town centre to light the Nos Galan beacon at Rhos Square in Oxford Street.
Before doing this, the pair laid a wreath upon the grave of Guto Nyth Bran within the churchyard at St Gwynno’s Church, as well as taking part in a poignant memorial service.
Previous Nos Galan Mystery Runners have included Linford Christie, John Hartson, James Hook, Nicole Cook, Jamie Roberts, Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins.
Nos Galan 2011 was once again supported by The Valleys Heart and Soul initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the region as a tourist destination, bringing communities closer together and helping to restore pride and passion into the area.
