Video: Knaresborough bed race brings out the crowds

IN a special anniversary year for the Knaresborough Bed Race it was fitting that there should be a nail-biting finale.
This weekend saw the 50th running of the Knaresborough bed raceThis weekend saw the 50th running of the Knaresborough bed race
This weekend saw the 50th running of the Knaresborough bed race

The 50th running of the now globally famous race saw the Planet Steel team edge victory by a margin of a third of a second over Harrogate Harriers.

Organised by the Knaresborough Lions, the event is estimated to have raised up to £100,000 for charities.

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Publicity officer Nigel Perry said: “We think that we had the biggest crowds we have ever had this year.

This weekend saw the 50th running of the Knaresborough bed raceThis weekend saw the 50th running of the Knaresborough bed race
This weekend saw the 50th running of the Knaresborough bed race

“The weather gods smiled on the bed race, the rain stopped at nine and we had sun through the day which really brought the crowds out.”

The race sees 90 teams of six runners and a passenger take on the 2.4 mile rugged course around the town which culminates in a 20 yard swim across the often chilly waters of the Nidd.

Planet Steel, a team sponsored by a steel contracting business in Knaresborough, finished the course in 13 mins and 14 seconds with Harrogate Harriers just 0.3 seconds behind.

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All the teams taking part managed to get home inside half an hour.

Prior to the race, teams gathered with their decorated “beds” at the castle and then paraded to Conyngham Hall fields where they were stripped down ready for action.

Mr Perry said planning would soon begin for the 51st running of the race.

“The bed race has its own momentum now.

“It just keeps going and is now a very big event for a small town.”

First run in 1966, and organised by Knaresborough Lions since 1993, the bed race has become so popular that teams have to go into a ballot to try and secure a place.

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