The countdown is on – entries for the legendary Nos Galan Road Races 2025 are about to open. Now in their 67th year, the races remain one of Wales’ most iconic sporting and community events, drawing thousands of runners and spectators to Mountain Ash every New Year’s Eve.
With spaces selling out in record time each year, organisers are urging runners of all ages and abilities to be ready when entries are released next week.
As always, the Council will release spaces across all the races – children’s, male elite, female elite and fun run – in stages, so everyone has a chance to secure a sought-after spot.
Join elite mens’ and womens’ races, fun run (fancy dress optional) and children’s race categories on the evening.
The release dates for Nos Galan 2025 race spaces are:
- Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9am
- Monday, September 15, 2025 at 12pm
- Monday, September 22, 2025 at 6pm
It’s your chance to join one of the most unique and celebrated sporting events in Wales, taking place in Mountain Ash on New Year’s Eve.
It’s not just an evening of sporting achievement, with hundreds of runners of all ages and abilities taking part, but also one of sporting inspiration, with a celebrity Mystery Runner from the sporting world to officially start the races – who will it be this year?
Last year RCT welcomed world-renowned female Welsh boxer Lauren Price MBE, and the crowds were thrilled. The Valleys girl was joined by Aberdare’s Rhia Burrage-Male, former Commonwealth hockey player and businesswoman.
It’s also an evening of family fun and tradition – hundreds line the streets to meet the Mystery Runner and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the races. The funfair and fireworks will be back for 2025.
This year marks the 67th anniversary of the Nos Galan Road Races, which were founded in 1958 by the late Bernard Baldwin MBE to celebrate local legend Guto Nyth Bran, who was said to be the fastest man on Earth and could catch a bird in his own hands.
Guto was born in 1700 and is the subject of legends galore, he was said to be able to round his father’s sheep from the mountain faster than any sheepdog and run from his home to the shops and back before the kettle on his mother’s stove had a chance to boil.
He won many races against competitors from all over and it was at the finishing line of his final race, which he, of course won, he died in the arms of his love, Sian the Siop. He is buried in the graveyard at St Gwynno’s Church in Llanwonno.
There is a service in the church and a wreath is laid at his grave at the start of Nos Galan every year.
Bernard Baldwin MBE launched the Nos Galan Races and they fast grew in popularity and were often televised. They now attract over 2,000 runners from across the UK, competing at a range of levels in the historic races and thousands of spectators to the streets of Mountain Ash.
The event gets underway with the children’s races, before the arrival of the Mystery Runner with the Nos Galan torch, which is used to light the Nos Galan beacon in the town. Previous Mystery Runners have included Linford Christie, Nigel Owens, Chris Coleman, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Nicole Cooke and, of course, Lauren Price MBE.
Fireworks fill the New Year’s Eve sky, before the Male and Female Elite Races, and the ever-popular Fun Run take place.
Cllr Ann Crimmings, Chair of the Nos Galan Road Races Committee, said: “Spaces for the Nos Galan Road Races remain in demand long after they have sold out. It’s hard to tell people who are desperate to take part that we simply don’t have the room.
“So, as we prepare for Nos Galan 2025, this is your starter for 10 that spaces will be on sale in September. You have three release dates, which is three chances to secure a spot in a legendary event still going strong after 67 years.
“It’s a brilliant way to celebrate the end of the year and the start of a new one and spectators have just as much fun being involved in the magical atmosphere as the runners do. We are so very proud of Nos Galan and the fact it has kept the legend alive for so long.
“There is just something for everyone. The children can get involved in the race and get their own time on the podium with a sought-after medal, the elite races return year after year and, of course, we have the celebrity Mystery Runner and fireworks. What a New Year’s Eve!”
Once the spaces are gone – they are gone – so make sure you are online and ready to secure yours from www.nosgalan.co.uk on the dates and times above.
