Couple marry at 24-mile Man v Horse race wearing matching waistcoats

A couple who got married as part of a 24-mile Man v Horse race have described the day as "absolutely fantastic".

Animal lovers Safron and Nigel Griffin, from Tynygraig, Ceredigion, held their wedding ceremony an hour before the annual challenge in Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, on 13 June.

Dressed in matching tweed waistcoats and ties, with white shirts, riding trousers and boots, the newlyweds mounted their horses straight after the ceremony and set off through the Welsh countryside.

They went on to beat the human competitors.

"It's so us, and we wanted to do something different," Safron told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

Council housing officer Safron, 54, said the couple got engaged on her 50th birthday four years ago and knew they wanted "to do something a bit different".

Fans of the annual Man vs Horse race and its unique community spirit, they decided to tie the knot at one of the UK's most eccentric sporting events, which began as a pub bet in 1980.

"We love the race and the event and the camaraderie so we thought why not, if Man vs Horse agree, why not do something different and make a day of it our style," she said.

While horses usually dominate the unusual contest, runners can gain an advantage in hot conditions because humans cool themselves more efficiently.

In the race's 46-year history, people have beaten horses only five times, with the first human victory coming 25 years after the event began.

The jackpot for the first runner to beat the leading horse and rider rises by £500 each year it goes unclaimed and stands at £500 for 2026.

Safron said it was a busy morning before they exchanged vows: "We arrived, we were running a bit later because that's our style, we arrived at 08:45 and then we registered for the race.

"We had to unload horses and get them through vet check then set up for ceremony.

"Our family mucked in then to get set up ready for us and the horses ready."

After attending the race's safety briefing, Safron said the pair "ran across the field" to attend the ceremony for 10:20.

The newlyweds then mounted their horses and set off on the course.

Safron, who wore a veil beneath her riding helmet, said it sparked plenty of double takes.

"It was really quite comical as we were going around," she said.

"The whole start field knew we were getting married and there was lots of congratulations.

"But when we were going round not all the riders knew so they were saying 'oh you're very nicely dressed up'."

Nigel, 52, said they wore matching tweed waistcoats and ties, while a recently revised route made for a more "challenging, demanding ride".

Safron said the day "was more than what we expected".

"It was an absolutely fantastic day, a little bit rushed in morning but everyone mucked in to help us set up.

"But after that, it just went as we hoped it would go.

"It was brilliant."

However, Safron explained it was a "little bit exhausting", adding everyone celebrated on their behalf when they took some "very tired horses and humans back".

The newlyweds plan on having a belated party to celebrate their unusual wedding.