your comments
Jane Llewellyn, Miskin, originally Pontypridd
I have always been fascinated with the story and had my class of reception children to act it out for our school inspection a few years ago as it was over St David's day. It went down a storm. It's a lovely story and I tell my new class every year.
Huckle hutton,Llangynidr
When I came from Scotland to South Wales in 1987, a new found friend told me the stories of Guto, we visited the grave and the monument(someone stole the dog beside him once!)from that day on I have told the story to my kids who were as captivated as i was. Guto=Hero.Xx
Jack Davies, Melbourne, Australia
I grew up in Porth in the 50s and went to school in Cymmer. All us kids were told about Guto Nyth Bran, a real hero to us. It is good to see his story told to today's generation.
Alan Price from Ystrad, Rhondda
Spent a long time looking for his grave as I didn't know Guto was a nick name. Fantastic story which I've heard since I was a child. Grand old man of 63 now. If anyone is interested in tidying up the grave and monument, count me in to help. Great story, and long may it continue.
Edmund Evans
Would it not be nice to have an annual run from St Woolos church to St Barrwg's? Come on you fun runners, on your marks
Frances White from Teddington
My father, Tony Noonan (14.02.1923-27.07.1994) was from Mountain Ash and ran in the Nos Galan. He was cross-country champion for Wales circa. 1950-1951. He was also in the 3-A's and specialised in the half-mile competing for Wales and Hertfordshire where he was a teacher. My parents had five children and took us for wonderful holidays, staying with relatives in Mountain Ash. In the '60s we all loved to go horse riding at Llwynperdid Farm, passing Llanwynno churchyard on the way. My father liked to stop there and tell us the story of Guto Nyth Bran.
John Davies, Baghdad, Iraq
I have often told the story of Guto - true or not, I love it. And a big thank you to those who give up their time to preserve the Nos Galan. Originally from Perthcelyn (I joined the Army in 1969) the mystery runner passed through the edge of the village on their way to Mount and we often ran with them on their last leg. Wonderful memories. Thanks for reminding me about my marvellous childhood. I now feel homesick.
Colin Coombes, Lancing, West Sussex
I was born in Pontygwaith in the club called The Gluepot. As a youngster I with my friends from Furnace Road wouldwalk over the mountains to Llanwonno pub and cemetery, and further beyond where we would dam the stream in order for us to have a swim. I remember once, on our way homeafter a day of fun, we were walking past theLlanwonno cemetery in the dark when we decided to go and see the Guto Nyth Bran gravestone. It was very spooky in the dark when suddenly a sheep let out a "Baa-Baa". God,you should have seen us run. I don't think we stopped until we got home which was, I think, about 10 miles. I think we ran faster than Guto that night.
Bruan Treharne, Cardiff
What a great Welsh myth. I think I will now run this race next year.
Andrew Evans, Blackwood
My father Melville Evans used to help organise the event in the early sixties and still talks about the event with fond memories. One time they thought to let off fireworks as the lead runner came down a hill - only it went wrong and set a car on fire!!!!!!
Mike Lane from Mountain Ash
I thank the people who take the time out to partake in the yearly activities, the overall organisation, the mystery runner and indeed any of the vast number of people who without their time and effort it simply would not be possible. It's nice to have somebody in our time like Guto Nyth Bran and a really great thing that his memory can be preserved as well as its been. Afterall, some things we should hold precious in our Welsh heritage and Guto Nyth Bran deserves the top shelf.
Karyn Bott nee Styling, Redditch
I was born in Mountain Ash and lived there for 9 years ... I love that story of Guto, it brings back some lovely memories.
Trevor Thomas, Bedwas
This is truly a remarkably story and is honoured in Bedwas with a plaque on the wall, in the church car park (top end)near the spot where he died. What a good film this would make! Any offers Hollywood!!!
Gwyn Williams, Pontypridd and London
I relished the story as told by Hoppy of Senghenydd very many years ago.
Vivian K Jones
My wife's family are buried in Llanwynno Church Cemetary (St Gwynno's) and some were sextons in the early 1800. They are indeed in good company with Guto Nyth Bran. Sadly the cemetery is in a pretty bad state, and in desperate need of care and attention.
Jôb-y-Gwair o'r Rhydychen
Why is he running with a whippet?
David John O Ferthyr
The warrior Kublai Khan
Thought much of the odd ripping yarn
Though his own pace impressed
There's one tale he loved best
That's the story of Guto Nyth Bran
Now Guto was nought but thick skinned
And it's known he could run like the wind
But if Koob showed his mettle
With a similar kettle
Then the record he'd gladly rescind.
gayle mountain ash
i to love this story of guto another lovely story is of the welsh prince
llewellyn who killed his dog mistakingly
thinking he had killed his son ,only to disscover after he killed the dog that he had indeed saved the childs life from being killed by a wolf .
Jan Welsh Mountain Ash
This story is still as fascinating as it was when I first heard it as a child.
Julie Thomas of Llwyncelyn, Porth
What an amazing but tragic story of poor Guto. It's a privilege to be living in the village that Guto was born and bred in and I think that it would be a lovely tribute to have a statue of him in his home town to show that we will never forget him.
Roy Parry, Falmouth, Cornwall
Does anyone know anything about a Thomas John Prosser who won a 20 mile race back in the 1920's to 30's and if it was the Nos Galan race.
royston.parry@ntlworld.com
Wendy McGrath
It is wonderful to find that the story of Guto and his race has endured for so long. Every time we drive past the cemetery I always say a prayer for him. I like to think of him still running over the beautiful mountainside enjoying himself, even if we can't see him.
Craig Davies - Born Mountain Ash.
Now living in west sussex (following a 'career'). I will never forget the atmosphere in the town on xmas eve... when all of the surrounding towns join here as one to celebrate this wonderful time! I may be living 200 miles from my hometown, but always a born 'n' bread mountain ash lad! AND PROUD!
Stephen Langdon Mountain Ash
I love the Guto Nyth Bran story so much that it made me want to follow in his footsteps by taking part in the Nos Galan race.
Kevin Stevens from Abercynon
Can anyone please tell me what is the name of the dog that is with Guto in the statue in Mountain Ash?
Kirsty, Slough, Berkshire
I love the stories of Guto Nyth Bran as I grew up in the Cynon Valley and remember the Nos Galan races well. Thank you for ensuring his story will be remembered - maybe one day I can share them with my grandchildren.
Daniel from Nythbran, Porth
I am very pleased to see that the story of Guto NB has not been forgotten and that people and children still talk about him. I am very proud to be living in the street that has connections with him and also proud to be Welsh.
Jodi prosser and Thea Trow from Aberdare
I really injoyed translating the welsh Guto Nyth Bran story. Our favourite part of the story was when Guto was running after a sheep, but when he caught up with it he realised that it was a hare.
Becy Prosser from Mountain ash
I think you have covered the story of Guto very well and I was proud to think I am a part of the Nos Galen and have stood next to the statue of Guto many times.
Martin Griffiths
It's perhaps thirty years since I heard this story in school in Ponty' and being an 'exile' have found it difficult to recall it. Even some fellow taffs looked at me agog, so thrilled to find this and many more sites relating to Guto's story.
Gafyn from Llwyncelyn
I remeber as a young boy attending infants school we used to sing songs about the local stories in our area. One such song was the tale of Guto Nythbran. I have only vauge memories of the song now but can still remember the chorus. I also remeber a song about Sally a horse that saved the valley, when it fell into a crack in maerdy damn.
Sophie Carman from Hampshire
My grandparents are from Mountain Ash and I go there often. My grancha has told me the story and I have seen the statue of Guto when going down the town. My uncle was lucky enough to be up in the mountains one year when the Nos Galan race was on with my grancha and they bumped into the mystery runner who this year was long jumper Lyn Davies. He asked my uncle if he wanted to hold the torch but my uncle refused.
Ann Grainger, Stourbridge, W Mids
I lived in Wattstown and Maerdy most of my life so we were always taught in school about Guto and used to walk up Llan as we used to call it to look at his grave and have a picnic. My children were also taught the story. I am now 53 yrs old but I never forget I am Welsh and proud of it and our heritage. Fantastic site!!!
Hannah Williams from Aberdare
I love the story of Guto and Everyone in the surrounding valleys should know about him!!
John Howe, Bangkok/Cardiff
As I young child in the mid-fifties living in the Rhondda Fach village of Blaenllechau, just below Llanwynno, my friend Robert and I and our mothers (sometimes fathers) would often take a summer day’s walk up Blaenllechau Road to Llanwynno, a tiny hamlet of two or three houses a church and the Brynfynnon pub.
We children would wander the Churchyard examining the grave stones looking at the names, dates of birth and death and ages, always ending up at Guto’s grave with our mothers relating yet again the story of Guto. But this version had him running four miles in the time it took to boiling kettle of water; Guto of course beat the kettle by a mile. The end was the same his girl friend giving a congratulatory back slap only for Guto to fall dead at her feet.
Despite my father’s cynical remark that the kettle he ran against was a two-gallon cast iron one on a low heat, I remember thinking that such a great man should have a more prominent grave. His was tucked out of site behind the church and his monument a simple, lichen encrusted and crumbling grey stone, said little about the man and his achievements. But what a great and enduring love story.
Roger from Perth, Western Australia
I remember my gran telling me the story when I was about 6. I loved it then and to read more now is rather nostalgic.
Tom Pritchard from Retford Notts
My wife was born in Llwyncelyn, and when we were courting our favourite walk was on a mountain lane which ran past Nyth Bran farm. We often related the stories of Guto. One I remember was the race between Guto and a race horse on the old racecourse at Llanwonno, which of course Guto won. There is a certain amount of Welsh mythology related to Guto, but I am sure he will be talked about for many years to come.
Class 5, Hywel Dda Junior School
We hadn't heard this story before. Guto must be special if he could catch a bird in flight and a hare! It is sad about the way he died. We are glad there is a race to remember him by.
Tony from Ontario
I remember when BBC 'Children's Hour' broadcast a play based on this story. I have always presumed there was SOME element of truth behind it but never thought to check before. Anyway, I should certainly like to know the truth of the matter - Guto Nyth Bran may not have actually raced a horse and won (or he may have), but he was still likely an exceptional athelete for his memory to persist so, and for the story to have been linked to a person whose existence is confirmed in records.
Peter Tucker, Elliot Lake, Canada
As a native of Mountain Ash I was taught this story. I am now remembering it after sixty years. It is probably apocryphal but interesting nevertheless.
Legendary runner of Nos Galan fame
Finally a local shop owner, Sian, decided to take this talent under her wing after hearing that he had run from home to shop in Pontypridd and back (just over 7 miles) before his mother could boil the breakfast kettle. Sian became his manager and later his sweetheart.
A statue of Guto can be seen in Mountain Ash, where the Nos Galan races are held annually in his memory on New Year's Eve. In recent years the event has attracted several famous "mystery" runners including athletes Iwan Thomas (left), Jamie Baulch, Christian Malcolm and Darren Campbell as well as other Welsh sporting stars like Neil Jenkins and boxer Robbie Regan.
