Thousands of people turned out across the Harrogate district today to support the Knaresborough tractor run.
The event, which is believed to be Britain’s biggest tractor run, has become one of the district’s most popular annual events.
Almost 400 tractors, including some vintage open station models with hardy drivers braving the elements, tooted their horns, waved and revved their engines to the delight of the crowds.
Organised by Knaresborough Young Farmers, the event raises money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Tractors set off just after 9am from the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and headed to Ripley and Knaresborough.
Today’s start at the showground.
The convoy then passed Staveley, Burton Leonard and Markington, Bishop Thornton and Glasshouses before stopping in Pateley Bridge for lunch.
The drivers and passengers then continued to Bewerley, Dacre, Darley, Birstwith and Hampsthwaite before finishing in Knaresborough late this afternoon.
The organisers arranged live tracking of the front and back tractors for the first time, which led to some scammers posting a link online asking people to give bank details to follow a live stream.
Some people reported losses before the organisers deleted the links and issued warnings not to use them.
The number of tractors taking part and the sum raised has yet to be confirmed but the event appears to have been another big success.
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Start your engines: it’s time for Knaresborough tractor run
About 400 vehicles are expected to take part in tomorrow’s 25-mile Knaresborough Tractor Run.
The tractors are due to set off from the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate at 9am before snaking around the district.
The spectacular convoy will head to Ripley and Knaresborough before travelling to Staveley, Burton Leonard and Markington, Bishop Thornton and Glasshouses.
It is expected to arrive in Pateley Bridge at midday for a hog roast and then continue to Bewerley, Dacre, Darley, Birstwith and Hampsthwaite before finishing in Knaresborough at 4pm.
The number taken part won’t be known until tomorrow as drivers can turn up on the day.
Participation costs £20 and an extra £10 for each passenger. You can enter here or turn up at the showground.
All proceeds are donated to Yorkshire Air Ambulance — a cause close to the hearts of many farmers taking part because of the way it helps people in remote and rural areas.
Last year, a total if 383 tractors took part and the event raised £21,000.for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Although the route uses some minor roads, the convoy takes about an hour to file by and traffic delays are possible for vehicles caught up in the event.
The route snakes around Nidderdale
Tractor Run committee chairman and Ramsgill farmer Steven Brown urged anyone with a tractor, farmer or otherwise, to take part, and anyone without one to turn out to support the event. He said:
“Come along and join in the fun. We reckon it’s the biggest tractor run in the UK, so the chances of seeing anything similar elsewhere are slim.”
Prizes will be awarded for tractors in three categories: vintage, classics, and modern.
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‘Britain’s biggest tractor run’ set to return to Harrogate district on Sunday
“Britain’s biggest tractor run” will snake along roads in the Harrogate district on Sunday, with up to 400 vehicles coming together in a festival of agricultural horsepower.
Knaresborough Tractor Run lasts for 25 miles from the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate to Knaresborough, with a hog-roast lunch for drivers and sandwich van for spectators in Pateley Bridge.
Participation costs £20 per driver and an extra £10 for each passenger, and all proceeds are donated to Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Last year, the event raised £20,893.
Tractor Run committee chairman and Ramsgill farmer Steven Brown urged anyone with a tractor, farmer or otherwise, to take part, and anyone without one to turn out to support the event. He said:
“Come along and join in the fun. We reckon it’s the biggest tractor run in the UK, so the chances of seeing anything similar elsewhere are slim.
“The thing I always love is all the spectators lining the streets – the support from the public is tremendous. That’s what puts a smile on our faces.”
Tractor Run committee chairman Steven Brown says he doesn’t expect the event to clog the roads.
Knaresborough Tractor Run was first held in 2012 and has grown rapidly ever since.
This year’s event is due to begin at the showground at 9am.
Mr Brown said the route from Harrogate would take in Knaresborough, Staveley, Copgrove, Burton Leonard, Markington and Smelthouses, before arriving at Pateley Bridge showground, where prizes will be awarded for tractors in three categories: vintage, classics, and modern.
After lunch, the parade of vehicles will head to Dacre Banks, Darley and Hampsthwaite, before returning to Knaresborough around 4pm.
The line of tractors is expected to take about an hour to file past, but Mr Brown said motorists needn’t worry about blocked roads. He said:
“We don’t tend to have tailbacks, because we’re never on one road for long enough. We try to head off across country a bit to avoid the main roads.”
Tractor owners wishing to take part in Knaresborough Tractor Run can sign up online, or pay cash on the day.
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