Home / Arts and Entertainment / Knaresborough Bed Race: 60 Years of Eccentricity
Knaresborough Bed Race: 60 Years of Eccentricity
13 Jun
Summary
- Started in 1966 as a charity fundraiser by Knaresborough Round Table.
- Teams race through town, swim the River Nidd with decorated beds.
- Raised an estimated £100,000 over its 60-year history.
The Knaresborough Bed Race, a renowned spectacle in Yorkshire, celebrates its 60th anniversary this month. This unique event, which began in 1966, involves teams pushing decorated beds through the market town and swimming across the River Nidd to a finish line.
Originally conceived as a charity fundraiser by the Knaresborough Round Table, the race aimed to establish the town as a distinct entity. The inaugural event, launched by TV personality Harry Corbett, saw four teams representing local military bases compete, with the Army Apprentices emerging victorious after a rival team's premature river entry.
Over its history, the Knaresborough Bed Race has evolved significantly. While the first event raised £300, the total funds collected over 60 years are estimated to be up to £100,000. The race, now organized by the Knaresborough Lions Club, has grown from a local curiosity into an international spectacle expected to attract tens of thousands of spectators and over 90 teams.
