Monday, 13 June 2022

Man Versus Horse

This event was conceived in June 1980 following a chat over a pint (or three) in the back bar of the Neuadd Arms Hotel. The then Landlord, Gordon Green, overheard two men discussing the relative merits of men and horses running over mountainous terrain. The enterprising Gordon, never one to miss an opportunity to promote Llanwrtyd Wells and improve business at his hotel, decided to put it to the test.  So began Green Events and its first, longest standing and now internationally acclaimed event, Man v Horse. The course was changed in 1982 to provide a more even match between the man and the horse, resulting year on year in very close finishes - sometimes with the horse winning by only a few seconds. It took 25 years before a runner finally beat all the horses - in 2004 Huw Lobb won in 2hrs and 5mins, beating the fastest horse by 2 minutes.  The escalating jackpot for a runner who beats the first horse and rider, starts at £500 and increases by £500 each year the event takes place until it is won, stands at £3500 for 2022. The first jackpot received by Huw Lobb in 2004 had reached £25,000!  So 2022 saw the very first Chamfron competing with Christine taking Tizona out onto the Welsh hills.  Finishing in 3 hours 52 minutes, with a heart rate of 48 half way and 46 at the end, she impressed the vets and was awarded the best turned out award.  With the rain coming down and the course rather slippery 2022 rather favoured the runners and it was a win once more for "Man".







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