Hurdler is Nos Galan torch runner

Williams is emerging as one of the UK's top hurdlers

Hurdler Rhys Williams, son of 1970s Welsh rugby player JJ Williams, held the torch as mystery runner in the Nos Galan road race in the Cynon Valley.

Williams led about 600 people from across the UK taking part in the annual festive race.

Every New Year, Mountain Ash holds a race to commemorate Guto Nyth Bran, the legendary Welsh athlete.

Organisers Rhonnda Cynon Taf Council said they estimated about 5,000 people came along to watch the event.

According to the legend, Llwyncelyn runner Guto Nyth Bran, born in 1700, could catch a bird in flight and once ran to Pontypridd and back - about seven miles (11km) - before a kettle boiled.

The identity of the mystery celebrity runner is always kept secret until the last minute.

About 600 runners took part in the annual race

Rhys Williams, from Cardiff, won the 400m hurdles bronze medal at the European Championships in Sweden in August 2006 and is now one of the UK's top hurdlers.

He was accompanied on the run by teenagers Daniel Williams and Christie Williams - two local youngsters who have excelled at athletics.

The elite race was won for the second year running by James Thie.

A Rhondda Cynon Taf council spokesperson said: "It's one of the most popular events of the year.

"People from all over England and Wales took part. There was also a lot of family entertainment this year - there were rugby players on stilts and fire eaters.

Honorary patron

"We estimate about 5,000 people came along to enjoy that and watch the races as well. It's a good evening out for everybody."

The Nos Galan race was launched in 1958 by local man Bernard Baldwin MBE, a former Welsh AAA junior men's mile champion.

Last October, 81-year-old Mr Baldwin, from Mountain Ash, was honoured by being named as the Nos Galan run's honorary patron.

Three Welsh rugby stars - Gethin Jenkins, Martyn Williams and Rhys Thomas who featured in the winning Six Nations team - were last year's mystery runners.