Knaresborough Lions Club has announced the theme of the Best Dressed Bed Competition at next year’s Great Knaresborough Bed Race. 

The annual event is the highlight of the town’s summer and sees 630 people – 90 teams, each with six runners and a passenger – cover a 2.4-mile course through streets and the River Nidd. 

Before the race, the teams gather at Knaresborough Castle, with both beds and team members dressed up to suit the year’s theme, before parading through the town with marching bands and dance groups. 

Suggestions for this year’s theme came in from club members, runners and event supporters, and in the end, the judges’ choice was Great Inventions And Technology Through The Ages, and idea from long-time Bed Race supporters from Somerset, Joe Fielder and Caroline Fletcher. 

Fancy dress is part of the Bed Race fun.

Knaresborough Lions Club’s Martin Brock, who chairs the event committee, said: 

“With literally thousands of years of history to choose from, this theme was a clear winner when it came to the vote.

“We are sure as always that the teams will do the event proud with some amazing designs for the parade.” 

Knaresborough Lions Club has already started work on organising the event, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 8. It is seeking permissions for land usage and road closures, and will open the race to entries on January 1. 

In the meantime, the Santa’s sleigh and Lions mulled wine wagon will be making their annual appearances in Knaresborough. Father Christmas will be appearing at the town’s Christmas market next weekend (December 2-3), where mulled wine will be on sale. 

Santa’s sleigh will also start touring Knaresborough’s streets from Monday (November 27). 

The club is also inviting final entries for its community fund, which closes this Thursday (November 30). Local constituted clubs and groups are invited to apply for small grants as part of the fund. Full details and an application form can be found on the club’s website. 

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For most people, the Great Knaresborough Bed Race is all about fun and supporting good causes.

But for some, it’s also a highly competitive 2.4-mile mad dash across town and river while pushing a bed.

The elite teams train hard for the glory of arriving back at Conyngham House first and it’s doubtful whether anyone has had more success in the event’s 57-year history than Chris Miller, 41, who led the GH Brooks team to victory in 13 minutes and five seconds last week.

It was Chris’ 12^th success in the race since he first took part in 2003, making him the Novak Djokovic of the bed race. He chalked up nine wins with Harrogate Harriers before having a break and landing three more with GH Brooks.

The GH Brooks team leading with Chris (left)

The GH Brooks team is on a four-race winning streak. Its reserve team even managed third, with Ripon Runners second in the men’s race and first in the women’s.

GH Brooks is a builders’ merchants in Harrogate and although the name conjures up images of guys in high vis jackets with jeans hanging down their backsides beating a load of runners, the truth is more prosaic.

They are the Harlem Globetrotters of the bed race — local running superstars hand-picked for the event thanks to the support of GH Brooks owner Andy Broadwith. Chris confesses:

“We are a team of ringers. We are all mates who race for local clubs.”

Chris represents Wharfedale Harriers, others run for Harrogate Harriers and Leeds City Athletic Club. But nothing on the track or fell compares with the bedlam of bed race, where tens of thousands of people line the midsummer streets.

Running for Wharfedale

He says:

“It’s just mad. When you come by the World’s End pub you are just hit by this wall of noise.”

Elite local runners are queueing up to be part of the GH Brooks success story but Chris, who by day is a scientist, is understandably reluctant to break up a winning team. John Young, with six race wins, is another major part of the success.

Don’t even think of applying if you can’t manage a five-minute mile — and not many can. To maintain that pace while pushing a bed up winding, undulating streets and swimming across the Nidd is extraordinary.

“You have to be a competitive standard because you’re only as fast as your slowest runner. You’ve got to be prepared to be hurt and then hurt again.

“Experience helps but it’s down to having six runners who are all of a similar standard.”

This year’s time was six seconds slower than last year, when GH Brooks became the first to dip below 13 minutes.

But Chris says it was the “hottest and hardest” bed race he’s done.

Winning with Harrogate Harriers

How long will he continue? A couple of years, he says, but admits bed race is addictive. He will send out the call after Christmas to see who wants to enter and doesn’t expect many refusals. He says:

“People say afterwards ‘I think this will be my last one’ but when it rolls round they want to do it again. There’s nothing like it.”

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Knaresborough was a sea of colour and joy today as huge crowds turned out for the annual bed race.

The event was first staged in 1966 and appears to be going stronger than ever, judging by the turnout and enthusiasm displayed today.

Ninety teams of seven took part in the 2.4-mile route through the town, which culminated in crossing the River Nidd.

A team representing builders merchants GH Brooks stormed to victory in the men’s race once again, but were pushed close by Ripon Runners. It was the fourth time in succession GH Brooks has taken the title.

Ripon Runners, however, took first place in the women’s race.

Competition was equally fierce in the Best Dressed Team competition just before the race.

A team called The Rocketmen took the accolade for a Jurassic Park-themed bed that featured animatronics.

They then led the parade from the castle through town to Conyngham Hall where the race started and finished. The parade had only just got underway when it had to be temporarily halted due to a person falling ill.

Organised by Knaresborough Lions, a large army of volunteers helped to keep things running smoothly on a day of unbroken sun.

Here are some photos from the day.

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The winning GH Brooks team

The Best Dressed Team award winner

Dad’s Army

The theme this year was ‘That’s Entertainment’

Having fun at the castle before the race

GH Brooks had two outstanding teams

Harrogate Symphony Orchestra patriotically-attired.

Ripon Runners gave another strong performance

Crossing the Nidd

One of the day’s most creative efforts

Thousands of people will flock to Knaresborough tomorrow for the town’s busiest day of the year.

The Great Knaresborough Bed Race will see 90 teams of seven tackle a 2.4-mile course through the town’s streets and river.

Knaresborough is looking resplendent with 48 Pride flags displayed to celebrate Pride month, and with the Met Office forecasting temperatures up to 26 degrees centigrade, the town will be buzzing.

People are being urged to bring cash as the limited number of cash machines in Knaresborough are likely to run out of money.

Knaresborough Lions, which organises the event, has arranged a free park and ride bus operated by Connexions from GSPK at Manse Lane and ALM at St James Business Park.

If you wish to park closer, King James’s School is offering £5 all day parking with money going to MacMillan Cancer Support.

Teams will gather at Knaresborough Castle in the morning to be judged for the Best Dressed Team award.

Whoever wins, leads the parade from the castle to Conyngham Hall at 1pm. Each team is allowed up to 20 supporters to parade with them in fancy dress.

The race gets underway at 3pm at Conyngham Hall.

Road closures will be staggered throughout the day, starting at 10.45am in Market Place and surrounding roads. The main A59 is due to close at 12.30pm and roads used for the route will be sealed off at 2.30pm.

Some routes could be closed until 6pm but most are expected to re-open sooner.

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A diversion to Harrogate will be in place around Briggate/Calcutt/Forest Moor. Buses will use this route while the A59 is shut. Trains will still be running.

The annual bed race was first held in 1966. This year’s theme for the pre-race fancy-dress parade is “That’s Entertainment”.

Martin Brock, chairman of the bed race committee at organisers Knaresborough Lions, said preparation was a “massive undertaking”. He added:

“We could not put the race on without kind help from our sponsors, our volunteers, the local council and the local media.

“If we planned now to close down the fifth biggest town in North Yorkshire for a day, I doubt we would get permission. However, with the event in its 56th year, people will bend over backwards to help us get it on.

“Almost everyone you see working on the day will be a volunteer, from our divers, to the RayNet radio comms team, to many of the marshals, so give them a smile as you pass by.”

Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on Knaresborough next weekend for the annual bed race.

Ninety teams will tackle the 2.4-mile course, departing from Conyngham Hall in 10-second intervals from about 3pm.

Although the race is competitive, the day itself is about far more than a mad scamper through the streets of Knaresborough and the River Nidd.

First staged in 1966, it begins with teams gathering at Knaresborough Castle in the morning to be judged for the ‘Best Dressed Team’ award.

Whoever wins leads the parade from the castle to Conyngham Hall at 1pm. Each team is allowed up to 20 supporters to parade with them in fancy dress.

The course follows almost exactly the same route as that in 1966. Teams race along the Waterside, pass through Nidd Gorge, up the steep Castle Ings, around the cobbled stones of the marketplace, down the High Street and Bond End, and across High Bridge.

The 2.4-mile course is hilly and tough. Photograph: Charlotte Gale Photography

The last stretch is on the rough ground of McIntosh Park before the notorious 20-yard swim across the fast-flowing Nidd.

GH Brooks, winners of the 2022 men’s event will be back this year, but Welly Wheelies, the defending female champions, have not entered.

French TV coverage

A French TV company will be among those attending this year, as the bed race’s fame continues to spread.

Another first this year sees the race trialling chip technology.

Martin Brock, chairman of the bed race committee at Knaresborough Lions, which organises the event, said:

“Last year’s crowd was as big as we have seen for many years and with the weather forecast looking good, we are expecting another great day.”

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The sheer size of the event leads to road closures and travel problems. Mr Brock urged people to use the free park and ride service run by bus company Connexions at Manse Lane (Knaresborough Technology Park) and Grimbalds Crag (ALM retail park)

Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre will create a festival feel at BedFest, which begins at midday and includes music, food and drink on the bed race route.

Organisers have confirmed the date and theme for next year’s 56th Great Knaresborough Bed Race.

The bed race is Knaresborough’s busiest day of the year, attracting around 30,000 people and providing a major boost for businesses.

Teams of six runners and a passenger aim to complete the 2.4-mile course, which passes through the River Nidd, as quickly as possible.

Event organiser The Lions Club of Knaresborough announced today next year’s event will stick with tradition by being held on the second Saturday in June, which will be June 10.

The Lions, which uses money generated to support local charities, also said the event will adopt a theme of That’s Entertainment.

This year’s bed race attracted perhaps its largest crowd ever but the number of teams entering fell to just over 80. It usually attracts a full quota of 120 and for the first time in about 20 years there was no need for a lottery to decide which teams took part.

Nigel Perry, secretary of the Lions, attributed the fall in participants to covid cancellations in 2020 and 2021, which led to some teams getting out of the habit of taking part but he is hopeful of numbers recovering.

The bed race, which dates back to 1966. plays out around the cobbled streets, steep hills and leafy parkland of Knaresborough, and attracts attention from around the world. It has spawned similar events in Germany, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and in other parts of the UK, and gets worldwide TV coverage.

Roads close and about 300 local people help with organisation on the day.

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Martin Brock, chairman of next year’s bed race, said:

“Nowhere offers the wonderful combination of spectacular scenery, an extremely taxing course and the final act of swimming through the ever-icy waters of the River Nidd.

“The event survived the pandemic and we feel that nothing can stop it, come hell or high water in the Nidd.”

Entry forms for the teams will appear from 1 January 2023 on the bed race website and must be sent in by the end of February.

Martin Brock, chairman of next year’s Bed Race, said:

“We want to give as wide a canvas as possible to encourage the inventiveness of Bed Race teams in the creation of their bed designs and fancy dress.

“For many, the parade of the decorated beds and the competition to win the Best Dressed Bed are the highlights of the event. But even the faster teams treat this part of the Bed Race contest as highly important.

“Each year, we see great ingenuity in the originality and creativity of the designs. It adds so much to the overall spectacle and makes the whole town a perfect stage for the Bed Race experience. Roll on next June!”

Winner of the 2022 Best Dressed Bed trophy was The Rocket Men. Second were 1st Scriven Scouts and third were Techbuyer. Special commendations were given to HENCHshaws, Aspin Avengers, SFC, Harrogate Symphony Orchestra and It’s a COP-out.

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Dogs without leads ruining Valley Gardens

Yesterday I walked through the valley gardens at 9am and I counted 20 dogs off their leads. One did a huge poo and the owner was oblivious on their mobile. 

Another was digging up the amazing flower beds. This has got to stop. I’ve lived in Harrogate all my life and this is preventing me from using the amazing Valley Gardens.

Gale Filburn, Harrogate

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Ripon Cathedral plans ‘adequately discussed’

Councillor Williams is leader of Ripon City Council and as such has no statuary right of consultation about the Cathedral plans. The Cathedral has more than adequately discussed its plans with the relevant local authorities in Harrogate and Northallerton. 

The City Council of Ripon is represented on Ripon Together where local organisations have a voice on all local issues.

I suggest that Cllr Williams’ time be better spent in finding out why the Spa Hotel remains closed in spite of purchase by The Inn Collection, a disaster for Ripon tourism and its economy.

Dr Christopher Bennett, Ripon

Thank you, Stray Ferret

Thank you so much for your coverage of the Great Knaresborough Bed Race. 

As I have been laid up with some mysterious illness I was unable to do my usual duties at Bed Race, so therefore I would have missed it all except for being able to watch your videos. So thank you all once again for yesterday.

Pamela Godsell, Knaresborough

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

The fastest new team prize for Knaresborough Bed Race was presented to a Harrogate running club today, after a mix-up saw the trophy incorrectly awarded to the wrong team.

The famous race returned to the town for the first time since 2019 last weekend and saw thousands of people line the streets for an entertaining and enjoyable day.

Fastest new team was a fiercely-competed category with three new teams (Early Bird Run Crew Harrogate, Nidd Valley Juniors and It’s A COP-Out) separated by just 20 seconds.

It’s a COP-Out were handed the trophy on Saturday, but after being made aware of the error they magnanimously handed the trophy back to the Knaresborough Lions, which organises the bed race, and it was duly presented to EBRC Harrogate this morning.

EBRC Harrogate, the fastest new team

The Lions said on Facebook:

“Things don’t always go to plan and unfortunately the fastest new team prize on Saturday was awarded to the wrong team.

“Thank you to It’s A COP-Out for being so magnanimous when told of the error, and thanks for EBRC Harrogate for being patient in receiving their prize.

“Amazing running by all new teams and we hopefully look forward to seeing you back in 2023.”

Knaresborough Lions PR officer Martin Brock even joined EBRC’s 6.30am Friday 5km run around Harrogate after handing over the trophy.

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