GH Brooks crowned winners of Knaresborough Bed Race once again

Reigning champions of the Great Knaresborough Bed Race, GH Brooks, today took home the crown for yet another year.

The team, who completed the 2.4-mile course in a lightning 13 minutes and 3 seconds, have placed first for the last four years.

Team captain, Chris Miller, celebrated his 13th win in the sunshine at today's event alongside his teammates.

One of the GH Brooks runners, Matthew Thackwray, told the Stray Ferret it feels “excellent” to continue their winning streak. He said:

Mr Thackwray, who had a well-deserved cold beer in hand at the time, added he and the whole GH Brooks team are having a celebratory BBQ to mark the occasion. 

Despite hopes of beating GH Brooks this year, Knaresborough Striders took home second place, closely followed by Nidd Valley Runners. 

Nidd Valley runner Alfie Willis told the Stray Ferret they had been training weekly since April, including river-crossing sessions. 

Thousands turned out in their droves to celebrate the biggest occasion in Knaresborough’s diary, with money raised for charities such as St Michael’s Hospice, Candlelighters, Marie Curie and The Twins Trust. 

Best Dressed Bed 

But GH Brooks weren’t the only winners at today’s event.

The theme of the bed race this year was great inventions and technology through the ages.

The Rocket Men, who were raising money for Martin House Children's Hospice, took home first place in the Best Dressed Bed competition. The runners dressed head-to-toe in spacesuits.

First Scriven Scouts placed second, while the Hymas Hobblers came third – both with steam train-themed beds.