MAN versus horse? It may seem like a clear cut answer but each year teams and individuals descend from miles around on Llanwrtyd Wells to try their hand at the Man V Horse Marathon.

Pitting man against horse and rider, over terrain including farm tracks, footpaths, forestry roads, wetland and moorland, the 22-mile race has gained the small Brecknockshire town national acclaim and has even attracted international interest.
This year entries have already been received from most parts of the UK, and a few from overseas, as competitors try and join the successful two who have beaten the horse over the event’s 31-year history.

The Man V Horse Marathon takes place this year on June 12, and will start at 11am from The Square, Llanwryd Wells. Entries are now being welcomed by individual runners and relay teams of three.

Entrants can run for a charity of their choice and money raised from the event itself will be donated to a motor neurone disease charity.

Much of the route is by permission of local landowners through land not normally open to the public. The organisers wish to express their gratitude to all the landowners and to the many volunteer marshalls required.

The Man V Horse Marathon began in June 1980, following a discussion in the Neuadd Arms between two men debating which would win, man or horse.

Landlord Gordon Green overheard the conversation and decided there was only one way to find out – put the race to the test. It was 25 years before man finally beat horse, when Huw Lobb won in two hours and five minutes.

Last year there were a record number of entries, with 280 individual runners and 120 relay teams, making a total of 640 runners.

Anyone interested in participating this year can either find out more information on the event’s website at www.green-events.co.uk or phone Llanwrtyd Wells Tourist Information Centre on 01591 610666 or the Neuadd Arms on 01591 610236.