THIS year marks the 40th Man v Horse race - a race that has become famous the world over.

More than 600 runners and 60 horses and riders will race the 23-mile course this Saturday, June 8.

The first and second-placed runners and a rider from the first ever Man v Horse race will have the honour of starting this year’s race.

Dic Evans was the winner, Steve Orralls took second place and Chris Powell rode Aries in the first ever event in 1980.

Seven runners from the USA have jetted over to the UK to take part in the race, including record-breaking distance runner Michael Wardian. Top British athletes are also set to run in the race to find out whether they can beat a horse.

BBC News presenter Sophie Raworth will be returning to Llanwrtyd Wells after completing her first race last year. She was the second-place female in her age group having missed out by only one minute and 35 seconds. This year she’s aiming to get the top spot. Organisers say the well-known journalist will not be posing for selfies along the route as she did last year, which may have cost her minutes.

Ms Raworth will say a few words and introduce the race starters for the event’s milestone year before taking her position on the start line.

Organisers said that they are “hoping for as close a finish as last year” following Ronnie the horse’s victory after beating the fastest runner’s time by 23 seconds. Joe Dale, from London, completed the marathon in two hours, 35 minutes and 12 seconds.

Horses have won 11 races in a row, which means a two-legged champion could take home £3,000 this year.

At 11am hundreds of runners set out from The Square, followed about 10 minutes later by the horses and riders, all following a challenging mountainous route to Abergwesyn and beyond, to discover whether a man can outdo a horse this year.