Nos Galan mystery runners are Gareth Thomas and Laura McAllister

Gareth Thomas and Laura McAllister represented Wales in rugby and football respectively

Ex-Wales women's football captain Laura McAllister and former Wales rugby star Gareth Thomas have been unveiled as 2023's Nos Galan mystery runners.

The race, in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, celebrates the life of legendary runner Guto Nyth Brân.

It has been run on New Year's Eve since 1958 and attracts thousands of spectators each year.

Thomas described the role as "an honour" while McAllister called it "a real privilege to be part of".

Thomas added: "It really feels like a real community event that not only has history but has relevance now.

"To do it with someone like Laura, who represents so much that's good in society today, is... a real landmark as to where we are as a society."

The event is co-organised and funded by Rhondda Cynon Taf council, alongside the Nos Galan Committee.

The team said the 2023 races had a record number of entries, with 1,925 overall participants.

The first man to cross the finish line was Ben Reynolds, while Clara Evans was the fastest woman.

The race used to end at midnight, but the time changed to make it a family-friendly event with people dressing up for the fun run

McAllister said the races were "a great celebration of running".

"I've always said we lack confidence sometimes as a nation but it's events like this and recognising our history that are all part of boosting our self-esteem and our belief in ourselves," she said.

As local authoritiesface budget cuts in the coming year, she added: "We have to prioritise sport.. and I think culture as well. If you can merge those two like they have with the Nos Galan races, it's a brilliant example of what Wales is about, really."

Chairwoman of the Nos Galan Committee, Ann Crimmings, said: "We have made it to 65 years - what a landmark! Year after year the streets of Mountain Ash have been filled with spectators as runners from all over the world keep the legend alive.

"What better way to celebrate 65 years than by having two of the most important sporting figures in Welsh culture join us as mystery runners."

In 2023, McAllister became the first Welsh person to secure a place on Uefa's executive committee and is also an academic and public policy professor at Cardiff University.

Thomas won 100 caps for Wales and three for the British and Irish Lions during his playing days which saw him play for Bridgend, Cardiff, Toulouse and Cardiff Blues.

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He ended his career with Welsh rugby league side Crusaders before retiring in 2011.

Two years earlier, he became the first openly gay professional rugby union player when he came out.

What is Nos Galan?

Founded in 1958 by Bernard Baldwin, Nos Galan is a 3.1-mile (5km) race around Mountain Ash town centre.

There are the male and female elite running events, as well as a fun run and children's races.

It starts with a church service at Llanwynno, where a torch is lit and carried to Mountain Ash.

The mystery runner tradition sees a famous sportsperson, whose identity is kept secret until the night, lay a wreath on the grave of Guto Nyth Brân, who died in 1737.

Thousands gathered to watch the race begin in the town centre of Mountain Ash

The tales of his achievements are now mixed with legend, including stories of him catching wild hares and running the seven miles (11km) to Pontypridd and back before his mum's kettle boiled.

The races were halted in 1973 due to concerns expressed by the Glamorgan Police regarding the undue delay to traffic, but were resurrected in 1984.

The format and route has changed over the years, but currently consists of three circuits of the town centre, starting in Henry Street Relief Road and ending in Oxford Street, by the commemorative statue of Guto.

Alison William, patron of the Nos Galan races and daughter of founder Bernard Baldwin, said: "It is something of an achievement, isn't it, for a small town in south Wales, for this event to go on all this time.

"[My father] would be so proud. Of all the many events that he organised, throughout the country over many years, this was his favourite."

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