Nearly 3,000 competitors put the Bedford Running Festival by Active Training World back on the map on the 7th – 8th September 2024, with a five-race programme ranging from the ever-popular Fun Run to the massive test of endurance that is the Bedford 20.

Russell Park is located on The Embankment beside the River Great Ouse and provides a spacious and scenic location for the vibrant Race Village, where Festival Magic happens all weekend. This year's attractions included an open-air cinema, street food market, children's fun fair and Kid's Zone activities, yoga and wellness sessions, premium mobile bar, and live music.

Race action commenced on Saturday afternoon with the Mile Fun Run, the Bedford 5K, and the Bedford Twilight 10K all taking place. Sunday morning is reserved for the simultaneous starts of the Bedford Half Marathon and Bedford 20.

The well-attended Fun Run – with 260 finishers – was won by Ely Runners' Connie Abraham (5:46) who had 12 seconds in hand over Riley Olsen (unattached). In the 5K, the leading times were set by Matt Ashby (Gade Valley Harriers, 16:47) and Megan Reynolds (Bedford & County AC, 21:18).

As twilight arrived it was time for the evening 10K to get underway with over 900 starters. The beautiful course crosses River Great Ouse, skirts Fenlake Meadows Nature Reserve, and circles Priory Lake and Country Park before a sprint finish on The Embankment, all with a total climb of 66 feet! Theo Beale, an under-20 junior from Bedford & County AC, led the way in 34:18. The first female was Theo's Bedford clubmate Molly Blizard in 39:57.

The Bedford Half Marathon saw a few seconds separate the top three men. Ross Laycock (NTRI, 1:16:21) won from Henry Taylor (Bedford & County AC, 1:16:25) and Eoin Cremen (Team Bath, 1:16:33) – who has taken a whopping 45 minutes off his previous best! The top three women beat 90 minutes. Emily Varley (Biggleswade AC, 1:25:22) took the title from Alexandra Crabb (Higham Harriers, 1:28:52) and Leisha Harrell (Orion Harriers, 1:29:30).

The final race was over 20 miles, included just 72 feet of elevation, and went to The Grange Estate and Willington Woods. Oxford University AC runners Alexander Betts (1:57:10) and Edward Brooks (1:58:59) sandwiched Steven Tuttle (Marshall Milton Keynes AC, 1:58:07) in the men's race. The top three women were Rachel Doherty (Higham Harriers AC, 2:15:34), Stephanie Giles (Alchester RC, 2:16:55) and Louise McDonnell (Wymondham AC, 2:16:57).

All the results and previous reports can be found at the runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy ATW/Bedford Running Festival website