Two legs outrun four as man beats horse

Two legs have scored their first triumph over four to win the annual "man versus horse" race in the hills of mid-Wales. Some 40 horses and riders lined up against nearly 500 humans in yesterday's gruelling 22-mile event at Llanwrtyd Wells.

Two legs have scored their first triumph over four to win the annual "man versus horse" race in the hills of mid-Wales. Some 40 horses and riders lined up against nearly 500 humans in yesterday's gruelling 22-mile event at Llanwrtyd Wells.

Until yesterday, no man had ever defeated an equine competitor in the 25-year history of the competition.

The victorious human was Huw Lobb, a first-time entrant from Bedford who won in two hours five minutes and 19 seconds over a course covering open moorland, farm tracks, and roads.

The beaten horse was Kay Bee Jay, who crossed the line in two hours seven minutes and 36 seconds.

Mr Lobb, a 27-year old IT consultant, won £25,000, a total which has increased by £1,000 each year it remained unclaimed. He also beat the bookies. William Hill offered odds of only 16/1 that one of the runners could beat a horse.

Earlier this month, Tiny Tim, a retired greyhound, defeated a top racehorse at Kempton Park to claim the crown of fastest animal in the racing world.