STOP PRESS

The 2008 Bed Race is DEFINITELY GOING AHEAD on Saturday 14th June

No more race entries can be accepted for 2008

Next Bed Race:

SATURDAY 14TH JUNE 2008

THE 43rd ANNUAL BED RACE!

THEME FOR 2008 IS

TRANSPORT THROUGH THE AGES

Red ARrows at the Knaresborough Bed Race 2006

The Red Arrows at the Bed Race 2006

The Great Knaresborough Bed Race

Saturday 9th June 2007 saw the running of the 42nd Great Knaresborough Bed Race. Thousands of people flocked to the picturesque market town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire to witness this great community event. A parade of 62 beds brought the town to standstill as the massed ranks of spectators lined the streets to applaud their favourites.

The race began at 3:00 pm and was a ‘time trial’ around an arduous course taking in the waterside, a steep climb to the town centre, through the ancient marketplace, followed by the run back down to the river and the final stage of crossing the river Nidd.

President of Knaresborough Lions, Malcolm Jennings said, “What a fantastic day! The teams put on two great performances, firstly in the parade and in the race itself under very difficult conditions. Whilst the weather was wonderful for the spectators, it was a bit too warm for the teams. Nevertheless we witnessed superb performances all round, especially from some of the new teams. Congratulations to ‘Harrogate Harriers’ in a time of 13:45 and ‘Squashed Hearts’ with 17:06. They won the men’s and ladies races respectively. Both teams have dominated the race in recent years. The fastest junior team was ‘Knaresborough Celtic under 15s’ in a time of 17:52”

The Best Dressed bed prize was given to ‘Meadowside Malingerers’. The Most Entertaining bed went to ‘The Young Ones’ and the Most Entertaining Female bed was ‘Nuns on the Run’. The Brian Hiscoe memorial trophy was awarded to ‘Little Saints Strollers’ for their outstanding efforts in their first year at Bed Race.

The 62 teams who participated raised monies for a wide variety of charities, clubs and other good causes.

The Lions Club of Knaresborough organised the event, and wish to thank all of the clubs, societies and individuals who helped make this a great day for the town of Knaresborough.

The Great Knaresborough Bed Race

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.

The Great Knaresborough Bed Race

The final exhausting and sometimes hilarious leg of the Race is crossing the River Nidd. The beds should have been made to float and will have to be guided across by the teams before finally running up the other bank to the finishing tape!

Late afternoon will see the presentation of the trophies in the various categories, but the fun will continue and there will still be plenty of time to visit Knaresborough's many attractions, photograph the view from the Castle and enjoy the restaurants and taverns throughout the Town.

The Bed Race is not just a fantastic fun event. The efforts of Knaresborough Lions, the Bed Race teams, Knaresborough residents and visitors on the day help raise a large amount of money for many charities.

For more Bed Race pictures visit the Picture Gallery on Knaresborough Online

Website courtesy of Jackson Web Services