Seven days remain to board the Bedford Running Festival next weekend, 6th – 7th September 2025, with entries still available...

Last year, nearly 3,000 competitors put Bedford Running Festival on the map. The action starts on Saturday afternoon with the Raring2Go Mini Miles Fun Run, the Bedford 5K, and the Bedford Twilight 10K. Sunday morning is reserved for the Bedford Half Marathon and Bedford 20-miler.

The event organiser, Active Training World (ATW), says: "Get ready for an incredible weekend of running, celebration, and community spirit at the Bedford Running Festival. Then relax and take in the festival vibes with live music, yummy food and drink, plus activities to keep the whole family entertained."

The weekend is based in Russell Park on The Embankment, beside the River Great Ouse, where the vibrant Race Village is situated. This year's activities include a street food market, live music, mobile bar, children's fun fair, face painting, arts and crafts, a Sports Zone, yoga and wellness sessions...oh, and there are some running events, too!

The mainly flat, fast courses always yield good times. Last year's 5K winners were Matt Ashby (Gade Valley Harriers, 16:47) and Megan Reynolds (Bedford & County AC, 21:18). The Twilight 10K – starting at 5:30pm to enjoy a cool evening finish – was headed by Bedford & County AC's Theo Beale (34:18) and Molly Blizard (39:57).

The following day saw the simultaneous start of the Bedford Half Marathon and Bedford 20. The shorter race was won by Ross Laycock (Northants Tri Club, 1:16:21) and Emily Varley (Biggleswade AC, 1:25:22). The long-distance champions on this occasion were Alexander Betts (Oxford University AC, 1:57:10) and Rachel Doherty (Higham Harriers AC, 2:15:34) – the fast times reflecting the mere 72 feet of elevation over the entire 20 miles.

For full details and the entry portal, visit the ATW Bedford Running Festival website here.

Check out this short promotional video.....

Results and previous reports can be studied at the runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy ATW/Bedford Running Festival on Facebook