Great Knaresborough Bed Race
Bed Racing is a much-loved annual past time in Knaresborough, combining as it does a gruelling athletic contest with a spectacular fancy dress parade of decorated beds and runners. It has been held annually on the second Saturday in June since 1966, missing two years of the pandemic.
Set in the scenic and hilly terrain of Knaresborough, the Bed Race is held over a 2.4 mile course, through leafy parkland, up and down vertiginous climbs and decent, through the Nidd Gorge, across cobbled streets and culminating in a swim through the ever icy waters of the River Nidd. 90 teams of six runners and a passenger (preferably light, young and of resilient spirit) participate; hundreds more participate in the Parade and tens of thousands come to watch - all organised by volunteers to raise money for local good causes. What's not to like!
Join the town as it celebrates this annual event with a day of festivities. Knaresborough loves a party and welcomes visitors from across the country and increasing the world for this fabulous and slightly eccentric event.
The serious event beneath the fancy dress
But don't be fooled into thinking it's all fun and games - far from it. Amongst the competitors the race is taken incredibly seriously, in the weeks leading up to the Bed Race groups of people can be seen in the early morning or late evening doggedly training with their bed, practising hills, cobbles, the start and keeping their passenger on broad through the obstacles (failure to retain your passenger leads to disqualification, and often hurt feelings).
But they only get one attempt at the route itself and when the whistle blows things get serious in a hurry!
Not what you're looking for?
Related Events
Great Knaresborough Bed Race
Bed Racing is a much-loved annual past time in Knaresborough, combining as it does a gruelling athletic contest with...
Suds With Buds
We’ve invited some of our closest brewing pals, who also happen to be very good at what they do...
Harrogate Food & Drink Festival 2024: A Feast on The Stray
Get ready celebrate in 2024 as we bring you the FOURTH foodie feast on The Stray, right here in...
Loading entries...
More Events
Colours Uncovered at Harewood...
Sculpture in the Landscape...
Three Walks | Jason Hicklin...
An Afternoon with Gervase...
Harrogate Coin Fair - April...
Flow Back to Nature Yorkshire...
Hitsville, The Making of...
20th Anniversary Performance...
Circle
Loading entries...
You may also like
Open Gardens and Coronation Fete
Swinton Estate invites you to a quintessentially British afternoon, as we celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. A...
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden
Surrounded by beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, this World Heritage Site has a lot to offer for a thoroughly enjoyable...
St Wilfrid's, Harrogate
St Wilfrid's, Harrogate is one of the most interesting churches in Harrogate town, and the only Grade I listed...
Loading entries...