Those looking to secure a space in the Nos Galan Virtual Challenge 2021 – are reminded the first 1,000 spots will be released on Monday, Sept 6 at 10am.
There are a total of 3,000 spaces in the 2021 challenge, being released in weekly slots to ensure as many people as possible has the chance to secure one, taking into consideration work patterns and other demands that may prevent them from getting online at one set time.
If you miss out on spaces released on Monday, September 6 at 10am, you can try again as per the below:
- Monday 13th September at 2pm – 1000 Spaces
- Monday 20th September at 6pm – 1000 Spaces
Organisers of the Nos Galan Road Races have been reviewing the position throughout the year and working on options, determined to ensure the event can return for 2021 amid the ever-changing impact of coronavirus.
While the COVID-19 situation has improved substantially from last year, the Committee has had to take in to account the fact that the Nos Galan Races bring over 10,000 people together from all over the U.K. and further afield to a very confined area. While we don’t know what the picture will look like in the winter, pressure on staffing and supply services for the event will continue to be a risk, as positive COVID-19cases will still have to isolate.
Thanks to the amazing response to the 2020 virtual event, with so many people getting involved and showing their support, it’s been decided that Nos Galan will once again be a virtual event for 2021, with our focus then turning to a spectacular 2022 event when we plan for the hugely popular Road Races to return to the streets of Mountain Ash.
Because 2020 was such a success, an additional 1,000 spaces will be made available this year for the virtual event. This means that 3,000 spots are up for grabs and will be released in stages to ensure everyone has a fair chance at getting one.
Not content with innovating and adapting to keep the legend of the Nos Galan Road Races alive while the world continues to face unprecedented challenges, organisers are also committed to ensuring the 2021 Races are a more sustainable one.
Entrants will see their race packs arrive in different packaging this year as the bags have been changed to recyclable ones. Those who complete the challenge will also be the proud owners of the first-ever wooden Nos Galan medal, which has been made in the UK to reduce carbon emissions.
Nos Galan – the virtual challenge – will run from December 1 to 31 2021. As with last year, entrants can complete their 5k challenge in one day, or over several days.
You can walk, run or jog and it’s your choice whether you do it at home or in a gym on a treadmill, or if you compete outdoors. You can compete on your own or as a family/bubble. Please keep an eye on the latest Welsh Government COVID-19 regulations to ensure everyone stays safe!
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Chair of the Nos Galan Committee, said, “Making the decision around whether the event should go ahead in-person or as a virtual event has been a difficult and finely balanced decision, as we were hoping to see Nos Galan return to the streets of Mountain Ash this year. However, hosting an in-person event presentedsome difficulties, so on balance it’s been decided Nos Galan will return as a virtual event in 2021 and focus will then turn to hosting a spectacular event in 2022.
“Nos Galan is one of the most popular events in the sporting calendar, partly due to the unique way in which it was held for over 60 years – with a church service, celebrity Mystery Runner and races in the town centre on New Year’s Eve.
“It was not possible or safe to do that amid the restrictions last year andit would have been easy to just cancel. But we were determined to keep the legend of Guto Nyth Bran and the Races themselves alive and, although very different from past events, Nos Galan 2020 was a huge success, thanks to organisers and the enthusiasm of entrants.
“Throughout 2021 we have closely watched the pattern of the pandemic and the restriction levels to see how Nos Galan could be delivered. Too many events have had to be cancelled at short noice due to the impact on staff and supplier services, so we feel it is safer to hold Nos Galan 2021 as a virtual event – then focus on delivering the 2022 Nos Galan – but bigger and better!
“I’d like to wish good luck and say thank you in advance to those who secure one of the 3,000 spots and please enjoy completing the 5k challenge in your way and, importantly, in a safe way.
“Virtual Nos Galan will give even more people, of all ages and abilities, the chance to complete the Nos Galan challenge. They can walk with the dog, run with their partner or go to the gym and run on the treadmill. They can complete it in stages throughout December or do it all in one day.
“The most important thing is that they do it in the spirit of the Races and ensure they adhere to public health and safety and social distancing guidelines”.
