COUNTY-based rugby star George North proved the mystery runner who lit the beacon at the start of the annual New Year’s Eve Nos Galan road races.

More than 1,500 runners assembled for the 64-year-old race at Mountain Ash, in the first proper holding of the event since 2019.

The races celebrate the life of legendary runner Guto Nyth Brân – renowned as a Welsh Billy Whizz, whose achievements are mixed with legend, such as stories of him running seven miles to Pontypridd and back before his mother’s kettle boiled and catching wild hares.

Guto died in 1737 and every New Year’s Eve a well known sportsperson acts as the annual mystery runner, laying a wreath on his grave at St Gwynno’s Church before carrying the Nos Galan torch to the start of the 3.1-mile races and lighting the beacon.

This year, North, who lives in Goytre near Abergavenny with Olympic medal cyclist wife Becky and family, did the honours, which included pulling the traditional pint at the Brynfynon Hotel in Llanwonno before leading off the main fun run.

George said he was “excited” to help keep the “wicked tradition” going by running with the torch.

And speaking before the off, the Wales and Lions star said: ”Hopefully I won’t get caught... [and] set the pace well.

“Since Covid it’s been a bit horrible really in terms of not being able to go to any events, especially ones that have great traditions to them and great meaning to a lot of people.”

George followed in a long line of sporting stars to take up the challenge, including rugby ref Nigel Owens, former Wales football boss Chris Coleman, rugby star Shane Williams, Olympic medal hurdler Colin Jackson, Wales and Lions skipper Sam Warburton and world boxing champion Nathan Cleverly.

Before the off of senior, junior and fun run races, race committee chairwoman Ann Crimmings told BBC Wales News the return to the streets had been a “long time coming” due to the pandemic, with virtual events filling in for the real thing in 2020 and 2021.

“We are so grateful for the support we have received from our runners and sponsors as we worked to keep the legend alive virtually when we could not hold the event in real time,” she said.

“Nos Galan is back and is bringing you one of the most successful sporting stars in Wales. Croeso George.”