Llanwonno is a tiny hamlet made up of a church and an Inn, lending the hamlet a charming quality that you’d only expect to find in fantasy or adventure stories. The medieval church of St Gwynno is blessed with wonderful stained-glass windows and architectural flair. In its churchyard, you will find the grave of Guto Nyth Brân who was the fastest man of his time. Born Griffith Morgan in 1700, his running achievements have become legend. His first feat was catching a wild rabbit by hand, but his career became running races against the best runners around, including his first professional race against an unbeaten English running captain, which he apparently won easily.

Sadly, like many legends, he died at the moment of his greatest triumph. In a race against the new kid on the block, the “Prince of Bedwas”, Guto, now 37, came out of retirement to run 12 miles against the Prince. He was victorious, completing the race in 53 minutes for an incredible prize pot of 1000 guineas, or £170,000 today! Yet, when the race was done, an over-enthusiastic slap on the back caused Guto to collapse, falling into his lover’s arms where he then died, the race having taken too heavy a toll on him. The gravestone in St Gwynno’s churchyard is visited every year as part of the Nos Galan Road race, held annually in nearby Mountain Ash on New Year’s.