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The Great Knaresborough Bed Race is a mighty pageant of decorated beds, passengers and runners, combined with a gruelling athletic contest around a course of 2.4 miles. This year's theme is "TV Adverts".
All the info you need for the day including parking, public transport and what to wear.
View this year's event programme, complete with key event timings.
Check out the latest race results including results from the past decade.
View our gallery of race and parade photos from the past few years.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Discover the history of the Bed Race and learn about the organisers.
Knaresborough Lions Club is a service organisation run entirely by volunteers. We put on events throughout the year to help raise money to support individuals and organisations who need assistance.
The Great Knaresborough Bed Race has been held every year since 1966 excluding 2020 and 2021. It's always on the second Saturday in June. It is a mighty pageant of decorated beds, passengers and runners, combined with a gruelling athletic contest around a course of 2.4 miles. It is organised by volunteers from the Knaresborough Lions to raise funds to meet local charitable and community needs.
This takes the teams – usually 90 squads in the maximum race field - through parkland, through the Nidd Gorge, up the steep Castle Ings to the town centre. They then hurtle down High Street and Bond End, cross High Bridge and dash to the climax of the event: the 30-yard swim through the ever-icy waters of the River Nidd, beds racers and all. For the teams, it is an unforgettable experience, and for spectators unmissable. Bed racing, begun in Knaresborough, has spread across the globe, helping to entertain folk and raising cash for worthwhile causes.
The latest Knaresborough Bed Race news and updates.
Bed race plea - please have cash handy on June 14th
Teams for 2025's bed race selected
