On 14th June 2008, Knaresborough was mobbed as people streamed into the town to see the 43rd Great Knaresborough Bed Race. There was added spice this year as the event was being filmed by Channel 5 and featured Rory McGrath, who ran as a member of the Scotton Scorchers Team.

67 teams competed, the Parade was even more spectacular than ever, the race was ultra-competitive and Harrogate Harriers were finally beaten by Ripon Runners! The Squashed Hearts retained their title, although under their new name of HPL Flyers. See results for more information.

Even the weather was kind (was this thanks to the BBC for featuring the event in their weather forecasts?), with only a couple of sharp, swift showers in the morning and the afternoon. New sponsor Gillette Fusion brough one of their ‘pods’ to demonstrate their wares and give people a chance to compete against some major sports stars on a simulator as well as entering two teams in the race.Long-standing sponors Piccadilly Motors and Speedy Hire also entered teams and finished 5th and 25th respectively. Our twin town of Bebra, Germany, entered a team who competed for their town on their first entry in Bed Race – including the lady passenger – their combined age this year was 436 years!

The new road closure arrangements were well received by spectators, allowing people to move around the town in greater safety in the period between the parade and the race, and allowed the course to clear after the race.

Knaresborough Lions Club thanks everyone who took part, helped out or attended the event, between us all we will have raised a fantastic amount of money for numerous charities – well done!

Planning for 2009 will start in September; the race entry process will change as a consequence of this year’s excess demand. All teams that have competed in the last 2 years will be contacted in the Autimn.

Knaresborough Lions (part of Lions Clubs International) expect as always to have a special famous guest (or guests) to help things along so come back to www.knaresborough.co.uk or listen out in the Press nearer the time for who it will be!

The Race is a gruelling run and many of the more serious Race teams will have been in training literally for months. There may even be teams from Bebra, Knaresborough's twin-town in Germany. Many teams will be racing just for the fun of it and to raise money for their nominated charities, but it will still be a tough race for them! The crowds love it, there'll be a great atmosphere and considerable noise, cheering and encouragement as the teams hare around the town.