Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
07
Jun
Will GH Brooks win the Knaresborough Bed Race again?
With a week to go until the 2025 Knaresborough Bed Race, GH Brooks is looking to retain its crown for the sixth consecutive time.
The company’s first team has won the previous five men's events since 2018, denying Ripon Runners and local club Knaresborough Striders – who are yet to win their elusive first title.
GH Brooks finished 37.2 seconds ahead of second placed Ripon Runners in 2022 – finally breaking the sub-13-minute milestone.
Despite representing the company, none of the six runners work there. So why do they run for GH Brooks?
The Stray Ferret recently spoke with team captain Chris Miller and the rest of the team, who told us why:
Five years ago, someone from the company asked me to join their team. Post covid everyone else dropped out apart from me and James [Warburton].
From there, I tapped up everybody else to come and join the team. I literally cherry-picked the fastest in the area to be honest. Everybody thinks we get paid for this, but we don’t.
Miller currently runs for Wharfedale Harriers. The rest of the team either runs for Harrogate Harriers or freelance.
He said that the team gets quite a few requests to join but, unless someone is injured, they tend to keep it the same. Jack Kelly is new this year, but turnover is usually kept to a minimum.
The GH Brooks team. (Left to right) Rich Frosztega, Chris Miller, Chris Oddy, Chris Shannon, Jack Kelly, James Warburton.
Secrets to success
So, is keeping a consistent team the secret to success? Team member Chris Oddy had his say:
Experience makes a bit of a difference and also having an equal standard of runners. There are faster runners in other teams but collectively you can only be as fast as your slowest person. I think starting in the first 10 positions definitely helps too, to avoid traffic.
[Rich Frosztega] has done a lot of data analysis and works out exactly what we need to do in each segment. There are certain areas you can get an advantage over other teams in. We do take it seriously.
Winning regularly does have its burdens though, with Oddy adding the team feels big pressure to keep winning.
Despite winning by just under 25 seconds last year, the team agreed it would be much tighter this year.
They said:
We’re obviously getting older and the teams in second and third are going to give us a big challenge. I think it’s going to be very close this year. They’re young and we’re all 30-plus.
Nidd have got a lot of young lads that are really increasing, and Knaresborough are always nipping at the heels. They want it because it’s local, and too right, they should. Good luck to them.
Though the consensus suggested it would be tighter this year, Miller said that the team was confident that they can get the job done again. He said that he thinks they’re all fitter than they were last year.
When we went to watch them train on Monday (June 2), they completed the course in an impressive 13 minutes.
Other teams have also been training for the event.
Controversies
As often comes with extended periods of sporting dominance, there have been queries in recent years about GH Brooks’ team.
Some people say they are just bringing ringers in. Others believe they’re being paid and it’s not fair on the other competitors.
Last year, the winning side was met with jeers from some members of the crowd, which was estimated 30,000 strong.
We asked the team what their responses were to the critics.
Miller laughed, teasing his competitors to “run faster!” He added that they are all local and are only supporting the sponsor, who just sponsor the bed.
Frosztega emphasised the marvel of the event. He said the roar of the crowd as you’re coming down the hill is amazing. He compared it to a big crowd at a national event, but instead “they’re just cheering for the six of you”.
He believes that’s why the team can attract people – they want to be a part of something that’s unique. He continued there’s nothing like the Knaresborough Bed Race anywhere else – “Brooks gives us an opportunity to take part in this and who’s going to say no to that”.
Oddy emphasised that it’s good to have a local business getting their name out there. Having won the last five events, there will be few spectators that have not heard of GH Brooks.
Chris Shannon had the final say, and perhaps the most important for those who doubt the integrity of the team. He said that although people assume GH Brooks have collated six runners, they have all known each other for years.
The Great Knaresborough Bed Race will start at 1pm next Saturday (June 14).
0