Man versus Horse Marathon
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The Man versus Horse Marathon is an annual marathon, with human and (mounted) equine contestants, which takes place in the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells.
The event started in 1980, when local landlord Gordon Green overheard a discussion between two men in his pub, the Neuadd Arms. One man suggested that over a significant distance across country, man was equal to any horse. Green decided that the challenge should be tested in full public view, and organised the first event.
This was not the first time that man had challenged a horse - in the 18th century, a man named Guto Nyth-Brân is reported to have raced a horse in the former Welsh county of Cardiganshire and won.
History of the race
In 1982, the route of the course was amended slightly to give a more even match between the competitors. The course is slightly shorter than a traditional marathon at 22 miles, but over rougher terrain. In 1985, cyclists were allowed to compete too - and that year, US ladies' champion cyclist Jacqui Phelan narrowly lost to the first horse. In 1989, British cyclist Tim Gould beat the first horse by three minutes - the first time that a horse was beaten by a human in the race.
In 1994, mountain bikes were prevented from continuing to compete in the race, because British law does not permit bicycles to race on bridleways.
In 2004, the 25th race was won by Huw Lobb in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 19 seconds. It was the first time that a man racing on foot has won the race, thereby winning the prize fund of £25,000 (which had been growing by £1,000 each year from the race's inception until claimed by a winning runner). The year's race also saw the highest ever number of competitors; 500 runners and 40 horses.
External links
- Man versus Horse Marathon website (http://www.man-v-horse.org.uk/)
- BBC News: History made as man beats horse (June 12, 2004) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/3801177.stm)