Bed Race set to make splash

Another popular favourite planning its return to the local calendar is the Great Knaresborough Bed Race.
It was the 36 th annual Knaresborough Bed Race on Saturday) and each team had to complete a course around the North Yorkshire town with the final section being the crossing of the River Nidd. Pictured, watched by safety crew,  are  some  of the middle order teams crossing the Nidd.  jun 8 2001.It was the 36 th annual Knaresborough Bed Race on Saturday) and each team had to complete a course around the North Yorkshire town with the final section being the crossing of the River Nidd. Pictured, watched by safety crew,  are  some  of the middle order teams crossing the Nidd.  jun 8 2001.
It was the 36 th annual Knaresborough Bed Race on Saturday) and each team had to complete a course around the North Yorkshire town with the final section being the crossing of the River Nidd. Pictured, watched by safety crew, are some of the middle order teams crossing the Nidd. jun 8 2001.

Organisers have announced the date for its return, after being cancelled last year because of the coronavirus, as Saturday June 12.

The Great Knaresborough Bed Race started in 1966 and is always on the second Saturday in June.

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It is organised by volunteers from Knaresborough Lions to raise funds to meet local charitable and community needs.

A spokesman said: “It is a pageant of decorated beds, passengers and runners, combined with a gruelling athletic contest around a course of 2.4 miles.

“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 has now spread worldwide.

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