TWENTY seconds was all that separated man and beast in Llanwrtyd Wells’ famous Man v Horse race – but once again it was a horse that came out on top.

Runner Joe Dale was first across the line on Saturday, June 9 after completing the course over cross country, up and down hill and through rivers and streams in two hours, 35 minutes and 12 seconds.

But after a gruelling 23 miles Dale, from London’s Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets club, faced an agonising wait to see if any of the horses, which started later than the runners, would complete the Whole Earth Foods Man V Horse Race in a quicker time.

And with just 23 seconds to spare horse Ronnie, ridden by Peter Davies, crossed the finish line in two hours, 34 minutes and 39 seconds to take the victory and ensure the quest for man to once again beat horse will continue for at least another year.

Lindsay Kettringham, from organisers Green Events, said: “It was very, very close. Absolutely nailbiting. And the atmosphere at the fields was electric waiting for the first horse to cross the line.

“The first runner came in about 13 minutes and 54 seconds before the first horse so we had to wait to see if a horse would come in. The runners start about 10 to 15 minutes ahead of the horses as you couldn’t send 800 to 900 runners off at the same time as 60 horses.”

As another year has passed without a human winner the prize pot for next year’s event will increase by a further £500 – meaning there will be a £3,000 incentive for one runner to became only the third two-legged winner in what will be the event’s 40th anniversary.

The race has been run since 1980 and it wasn’t until 2004 when Huw Lobb, of Bedford, became the first man to win the race and with it claim the jackpot that had gradually increased to £25,000. In 2007 German Florien Holtinger became only the second male to win the race and the horses have remained unbeaten since.

“It’s happened twice in 39 races,” said Lindsay of the almost impossible challenge which inspired event founder Gordon Green to organise the first race.

“I think that’s what makes it so popular and the fact it’s an absolutely unique event, no one else races runners and horses over the same course at the same time, the atmosphere as well, the whole town comes together.”

Among the famous names taking part this year were BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth who started the race – and then finished second in her veteran’s category, and former Welsh Commonwealth 400 metre sprint champion Iwan Thomas who finished 374th place overall in four hours, 15 minutes and 33 seconds.

Thomas was being filmed for a feature on the BBC’s The One Show while Raworth, who finished in three hours, 58 minutes and 22 seconds to finish 268th overall, has completed numerous marathons and ultra distance events.

“Sophie Raworth started the race and came second in her category.

“Had she not stopped to take selfies she could have probably won her category as she was only about two minutes behind but she absolutely loved it,” said Lindsay.

Raworth tweeted from her @Raworthontherun Twitter account on Saturday evening: “Man V Horse – what a brilliant race! 22 miles across Welsh countryside, racing 60 horses. Plus a surprise podium finish too. Loved it #ManvHorse”.

Green Events is organising its Drovers Walks events this weekend while it will also hold its cider cycle in August when mountain bikers are given free cider at every checkpoint.

On the August bank holiday Llanwrtyd also hosts the world bog snorkelling championships.