Powys athletes to line up in King's Baton Glasgow relay

Families are being urged to swap the usual Father’s Day plans and turn out in force for events in Brecon and the Elan Valley, near Rhayader on Sunday, June 21, where more than 50 baton bearers - alongside some of Powys’ best-known athletes - will lead the celebrations.

The relay, part of the build-up to this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, will shine a spotlight on local talent, with Welshpool Olympian Adele Nicoll, cycling pioneer Tim Davies, judo champion Natalie Powell, Paralympic gold medallist Rob Davies and former Wales and British & Irish Lions star Dan Lydiate all taking part.

Homegrown stars in the spotlight

In the Elan Valley, crowds can see Adele Nicoll fresh from making Olympic history in the monobob, alongside mountain bike trailblazer Tim Davies.

Adele Nicoll competing for Team GB at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where she made history in the monobob event. (Image: Team GB.)

Meanwhile in Brecon, former Wales and Lions international Dan Lydiate, Commonwealth gold medallist Natalie Powell and para table tennis champion Rob Davies will headline the route.

Natalie Powell, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Wales’ most successful judoka, who will feature in the Brecon Baton Relay.

But organisers say the heart of the relay lies with the wider group of baton bearers - volunteers, young achievers and community champions from across Powys.

A Father’s Day with a difference

With the events falling on Father’s Day, families are being encouraged to line the routes, support participants and enjoy the atmosphere.

Powys County Councillor Glyn Preston said the event would be a “memorable occasion”, while Councillor Raiff Devlin added it would be “a brilliant way to spend time together while supporting our communities”.

Event details

The Brecon Baton Relay will get under way at 9am from Brynich Lock, with spectators able to watch from the canal basin from 10am. It will finish at Theatr Brycheiniog at around 10.30am.

The Elan Valley leg follows later in the day, starting at the iconic Caban Coch dam at 1pm and finishing by 2.30pm.

Caban Coch dam in the Elan Valley, where the afternoon leg of the King’s Baton Relay will begin on Father’s Day. (Image: Jonathan Rudd)

Baton bearers

Brecon: Natalie Powell, Rob Davies, Ethan Orton, Joshua Longbottom, Gracie Jackson, Rose Jackson, Dan Lydiate, Morgan Jones, Aelwen Davies, Beverley Tucker, Richard Jones, Ron Rowsell, Derek Osborne, Liz Rijnenberg, Benjamin Brookman, Gareth Wynn Davies, Gwen Davies, Elin Davies, Sandeep Yonghang, Emma Claire Chiwara, Kay Thomas and Chelsie Carver.

Dan Lydiate, the former Wales and British & Irish Lions international, who is among the baton bearers for the Brecon relay.

Rob Davies, the Paralympic gold medallist from Brecon, who will take part in the Brecon Baton Relay. (Image: Manca_Meglic)

Rhayader/Elan Valley: Adele Nicoll, Tim Davies, Ffion Davies-Williams, Will Rees, Andrew Davies, Megan Costall, Jess Sims, Ffion Price, Alan Bates, Joanna Weale, Ron Weale, David Peters, Eddie Williams, Julie Heighway, Derek Price, Sam Roff, Betty Morgan, Paul Jones, Jacqui Rees, Angela Davies, Sharon Powell, Sue Ling, Ellen Wozencraft, Lydia Brandreth, Damian Andrews, Adam Johnstone, Jensen Jones and Esther Mair Wilson.

Adele Nicoll in action for Wales at the Commonwealth Games, where she competed in the shot put. (Image: PA.)

Tim Davies, a pioneer of Welsh mountain biking from Llandrindod Wells, who will take part in the Powys leg of the King’s Baton Relay. (Image: Davies Family)

Backed by local partners including Glandŵr Cymru, Dŵr Cymru and the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, organisers say the relay will showcase the “strength, pride and spirit” of Powys communities as the countdown to Glasgow gathers pace.

Star athletes taking part

Organisers say a major highlight of the relay will be the involvement of top Powys sporting talent, with several high-profile athletes helping to inspire the next generation.

Adele Nicoll (Bobsleigh / Shot Put)

Welshpool athlete Adele Nicoll has made her mark across two disciplines, excelling in both bobsleigh and shot put. Earlier this year she represented Team GB at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the first British woman to compete in the Olympic monobob event.

She is also a three-time British shot put champion and now supports young athletes through her own academy.

Tim Davies (Cycling)

Llandrindod Wells rider Tim Davies is regarded as a pioneer of Welsh mountain biking, having represented Wales across multiple disciplines and helped put the sport on the global stage.

Known for his distinctive riding style and energy, he has mentored generations of young cyclists and was a founding member of the Wales Off Road Academy. In 2025, he was inducted into the Beicio Cymru Hall of Fame.

Natalie Powell (Judo)

Beulah star Natalie Powell is a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympian who became Wales’ most successful judoka. She has also won bronze medals at both World and European Championships.

In 2017, she made history as Great Britain’s first female world number one in judo, topping the -78kg rankings. Since retiring, she has moved into coaching and will manage the Welsh judo team at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Rob Davies (Para Table Tennis)

Brecon’s Rob Davies is a Paralympic gold and silver medallist and five-time European singles champion in para table tennis. Competing for Great Britain, he has also earned a World Championship silver medal and numerous other titles.

Widely respected for his determination, he took up the sport after a life-changing spinal injury suffered while playing rugby at the age of 21.