Joel Hicks

In the Knaresborough Bed Race, 90 teams (made up of six runners, one bed and one brave soul who rides the aforementioned piece of furniture) race through the streets of Knareborough in what is one of the North East's biggest events. Beginning and ending at Conyngham Hall, the 3km run starts easily enough alongside the River Nidd. Unfortunately, around halfway in, the teams must face the one-in-five gradient climb to Castle Top; hard work for the runners and terrifying for the bed-ridden passenger. Then it’s back down the hill and toward the final hurdle – crossing the river.

In 2011, Always With A Smile built a 'bed bar' and served drinks to the public as we pushed the heaviest bed ever to enter the event through Knaresborough town.