Whole Earth Man v Horse Marathon at Llanwrtyd Wells

The Man v Horse Marathon began in June 1980 following a chat over a pint (or three) in the back bar of Neuadd Arms Hotel. The then Landlord, Gordon Green was chatting to local huntsmen debating whether a horse or a man would be quicker over a long distance. 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. And so began Green Events and its first, longest standing and now internationally acclaimed event, The Man versus Horse Marathon.

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 man finally beat a horse, Huw Lobb won in 2 hours 5 minutes beating the fastest horse by 2 minutes. His feat was repeated 3 years later by Florien Holtinger, but the horse has remained unbeaten for the 8 years since.

The escalating jackpot for a runner who beats the first horse and rider, which started at £500 and increases by £500 per year until it is won. The first jackpot received by Huw Lobb in 2004 had reached £25,000!