All set for 50th Bed Race

Everything is ready for the 50th Great Knaresborough Bed Race to grace the streets of this medieval market town in North Yorkshire on Saturday 13 June. 90 teams of six runners and a passenger will gather in their decorated finery at the Castle from 10 am; being judged for the Best Decorated Bed award at noon. The Parade starts off from 1 pm to Conyngham Hall fields where the teams and beds are stripped to racing trim. 

The race itself is run as time trials with the teams setting off at 10-second intervals, starting from 3 pm. They lead off from Conyngham along Waterside and through the Nidd Gorge. Then they climb the very steep ascent to the Castle, around the Market and down High Street and Bond End. They cross the river on High Bridge and plough on through McIntosh Field, before swinning the River Nidd to the finish line.

There is a big screen at Conyngham Hall where people can watch the river crossing live and footage from earlier in the day. There are plenty of refreshment stalls and all of the shops, pubs and restaurants will be open. It costs £2 per adult - the price of a programme - to get into Conyngham Hall; children get in free. 

Bed Race is organised by the Knaresborough Lions as a fund-raising effort for charity and local good causes