The Great Knaresborough Bed Race is something different: it is part fancy dress pageant and part gruelling time trial over a 2.4 mile course, ending with a swim through the icy waters of the River Nidd.

We will push our metal bed frame, complete with passenger, up a steep grassy bank, through parkland, along the scenic Waterside. We pass through the dramatic Nidd Gorge, heave up the steep Castle Ings, around the cobbled stones of the Marketplace, sprint down the High Street and across High Bridge. The last stretch is on the rough ground of McIntosh Park before the notorious 20-yard swim across the fast-flowing Nidd.

According to the website, runners have to fit, fanatical and frankly a bit mad. We are certainly two out of three, and are still working on the fitness! Our team is made up of a couple of veteran bed-racers, coaching the rest of us who are entering for the first time. The training is tough, but we are determined to have fun and run a great race.

We also have the creative challenge of turning our metal bed frame into a carnival float for the Parade! https://www.bedrace.co.uk/

Whilst the day will be fantastic fun, we want to raise money for the Harrogate Homeless Project , HSO's chosen charity for 2019. HHP is a local charity dedicated to supporting homeless people in and around Harrogate.  They are a committed and talented team, supporting vulnerable people most in need of help in our area.

HHP run a homeless hostel housing 16 people and an emergency refuge for rough sleepers in accordance with the No Second Night Out scheme. HHP also run a day service called Springboard in Harrogate town centre, providing food, shower facilities, activities and one-on-one meetings with support workers that are designed to help homeless or formerly homeless people get the help and advice that they need. 

Only 65% of HHP's running costs are met through statutory funding and other grants, so they constantly need to raise money in order to continue their valuable work.

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