THE iconic Man vs Horse Marathon usually brings out the stars and this year will be no different – with the most decorated British Olympian in history entering the 2024 race.

Cyclist Sir Jason Kenny is among a star-studded line-up who will be appearing at the event in Llanwrtyd Wells on Saturday, June 8.

Kenny, 36, became the most decorated British athlete of all time at the Olympic Games when he won gold and silver in the keirin and team sprint respectively, at the 2020 games, held in Tokyo, in the summer of 2021.

Those two medals took him to 9 at the Olympics overall, including seven golds – both records for British athletes.

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There will be a whole host of Olympians appearing in Powys on the day, with Kenny also being joined by five more.

Sevens rugby players Sam Cross and Heather Fisher, who were part of Team GB’s men's and women's squad at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, are confirmed, as is Welshman Gareth Warburton, who was part of the British team at the 2012 games in London.

England and Team GB hockey player Shona McCallin will also be on the start line in Llanwrtyd, as will Moe Sbihi, a rower who won bronze in 2012 and gold in the fours in 2016.

Bob Greenough, of Man v Horse organisers Green Events, said: “These are the six GB Olympians who will be taking part.

“Three have gold medals and one a silver. Actually, Jason Kenny has seven golds in total from four Olympics.

“Both Gareth Warburton and Sam Cross are Welsh. Obviously, their attendance is not guaranteed as there may be injuries or health issues. However, they are all signed up.”

County Times: Man vs Horse race 2023, Llanwrtyd Wells. Man vs Horse race 2023, Llanwrtyd Wells.

County Times: The Man vs Horse race takes place on June 8. The Man vs Horse race takes place on June 8. (Image: None)

Organisers this year threw out the task of designing the Man vs Horse t-shirts. “We contacted the local high school Ysgol Calon Cymru in Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells,” added Bob.

“A very helpful art teacher at the Llandrindod campus by the name of Ross Bennett organised this for us and we received over 150 entries. We were amazed at the amount of interest shown and the quality of the designs received.

“Our sponsors Whole Earth Peanut Butter judged the competition; they said that it was a very difficult decision. The winner was Lily Adam of the Llandrindod campus who is in year 7.

“She was presented with her prize at a school assembly but will also be with us on June 8 to appear on the starters’ rostrum. She will also receive a t-shirt.

“We at Green Events are really pleased with the final t-shirt work which was translated from the original design to the final item by Genesis UK of Tywyn, in Gwynedd.

Celebrity Man v Horse athlete profiles

Jason Kenny

Jason, who is a Sir as well as a CBE, enjoyed a hugely decorated career, culminating with his eighth and ninth medals at the most recent Olympics.

He won 2008 team sprint gold and sprint silver. Two gold medals in the same events followed during what was a memorable home games at London 2012.

He made it a hat-trick of golds four years later in io, adding keirin gold. He bookended his career with a gold and silver in Japan.

Sam Cross

A Welsh rugby union player who played three times for Wales at 15s, but excelled in the sevens arena, where he earned over 100 caps.

Represented Team GB at sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games where the team won silver. In his club career he played for the Ospreys before moving to Newcastle Falcons.

Heather Fisher

An English rugby player at both 15s and sevens. She represented England at the 2010 Rugby World Cup and was a squad member of the World Cup-winning team in 2014. She also represented GB at the 2016 Olympics.

Heather made her international rugby debut in 2009 after a stint representing Britain at bobsleigh. She played for Worcester until retiring from the sport in 2021.

Shona McCallin 

Shona Played 60 games for England and 62 games for Team GB, winning Olympic gold as part of the British team in Rio 2016 – this later earned her an MBE.

Moe Sbihi   

Also awarded an MBE, rower Moe won  2012 Olympics bronze in the eights. In 2014 it was gold in coxless fours at, while also winning gold in the same discipline at both the European and World Championships.

He won another Olympic gold in 2016 in the fours event and at the 2020 games he was Team GB’s flag bearer.

Gareth Warburton

A Welsh middle distance runner, he holds the Welsh record for the 800 metres. He represented Wales in the 2010 Commonwealth Games where he placed fourth and he then made the Team GB Olympic squad in 2012.