From pushing a hospital bed to serving time in a prison, these quirky events will have you hooked, and get you serious bragging rights
The UK is home to some of the most respected running events around the world: The TCS London Marathon, Night of the 10,000 PBs and the Great North Run just to name a few. But if you’ve already ticked these off (and got the medal to prove it) you may be looking for a very different kind of running race. We’re not just talking about a Santa run in December, but the rather more under-the-radar, and very British races that encapsulate years of local tradition and rivalry. Bicycle Gym Machine
Here are some of our favourites ...
Why we love it: The Great Knaresborough Bed Race has been embraced by the local population since its inaugural event in 1966. The amazing spectacle 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 – all whilst pushing a four-wheeled hospital bed.
The event attracts tens of thousands of eager spectators to the scenic town and, being held in Yorkshire, provides a truly serious competitive effort, pitting teams against their fiercest rivals.
Each year the Bed Race features over 95 teams of six runners and a passenger who all self-decorate the beds, before a parade led by the best-dressed bed. Then it’s a frantic race to strip the beds ready for the gun. The fastest teams complete the circuit in around 14 minutes, while the slower ones usually come in around 30 minutes. Some European countries have started to broadcast the race, but nothing can beat the electric race-day atmosphere.
Why we love it: Another true Yorkshire classic, each year men and women from all over the world race the village streets of Gawthorpe carrying huge sacks of coal to secure the best time. The uphill route is slightly over 1km and has remained the same since the race began in 1963 as a result of a challenge between a coal miner, a coal merchant and a farmer - unsurprisingly, after a few beers.
Adult races start from the Royal Oak public house, where the original challenge was set between the three men, and continue for 1012 metres to the finish line at the Maypole Green in Gawthorpe village.
The local community flock to the streets to watch the competitors lug 50kg bags of coal up to the green - only once your sack of coal hits this grass will your time be officially recorded. With prizes of up to £750 for the winners available, it will certainly make for a different way to spend Easter Monday next year.
Why we love it: Like most entrants on this list, the Man v Horse Marathon began after a pub chat, in 1980, discussing whether a man or a horse would be faster over mountainous terrain. Since then, only four out of the 42 races have been won by a runner overall.
Despite being labelled as a marathon, the race is a 22-mile off-road ramble through the Welsh countryside incorporating trails, hills and even river crossings. Runners set off around 15 minutes prior to the horses.
Though there were some close races, it took 25 years for a runner to finally beat a horse - Huw Lobb took victory in 2004 and the rollover prize pot for each year a runner didn’t win meant he bagged himself a staggering £25,000. Unfortunately for 2024's participants, the reward is back down to £500 after Daniel Connolly came first this year with a time of 2 hours 24 minutes.
Why we love it: Organised by the Tywyn Rotary Club, this race attracts runners from all over the globe who want to compete against a heritage steam train. The cross-country route runs parallel to the well-preserved Talyllyn Railway over a distance of 14 miles through public and privately owned fields, with permission from the landowners.
However, the largely private route means the course is unavailable to ‘recce’ beforehand, and runners should expect mud, mud, and more mud. If the main 14-mile event is too much, the event also offers shorter races (10km, 8km, and 5km) prior to the Rotary Challenge – still against the locomotive.
The unique event has been featured on BBC’s Countryfile and creates a great atmosphere in the small Welsh town with many local campsites and restaurants booked up for months in advance.
Don’t fancy running? Then why not board the Talyllyn Railway and ride alongside the race.
Why we love it: Gavin and Stacey fans will be familiar with the town of Barry, but might not be aware that the Shipman’s hometown is also home to one of the UK’s biggest ultra marathons… around and around a 400m track.
While many runners might head to a athletics track for speed training, the local running club, Les Croupiers, has been holding a 40-mile race around the Jenner Park track for years - that’s 160 laps. What’s even more remarkable is that in the race's 29-year history, over 74% of runners have completed the entire 40 miles.
Due to the sheer amount of laps that need counting, the event has a fairly low entry figure, but that didn’t stop Team GB runner Oli Garrod from setting a 40-mile world record at last year's event. If you’re keen to sign up, be quick, because places sell out fast.
Why we love it: While there’s not strictly anything unique about the 5km, 10km, or half marathon on offer, the location of this race might be one of the best in the UK. Combine a love of running with thrill-seeking as you make your way around the iconic grounds of the UK’s biggest theme park.
Despite being a relatively new event, thousands of participants embark on the small village of Alton for a unique race day experience through each area of the closed theme park. If this wasn’t enough, then perhaps unlimited access to the rides, once you’ve finished, will tempt you.
The faster you run, the quieter the queues will be to Thirteen, the Smiler and Wickerman – a perfect excuse to try and chase your PB.
Where: Shepton Mallet Prison, Somerset
Why we love it: We’ve saved the best (or worst) until last with a marathon which takes place in an abandoned prison. The Shepton Mallet Prison, constructed in 1625, closed its doors in 2013 and now offers a totally different marathon experience.
Taking participants on a 78 lap course through the narrow wings of the prison - with 131 steps on each lap - this one isn’t for those wanting to set a PB. You probably won't get a GPS signal for the Garmin either. In fact, the eerie event has very limited entries available, due to the winding nature of the course.
If you think you can do the time, you’ll need to sign up quickly as this year is the event’s final race. Don’t worry though, if you miss out, the prison holds ghost tours which sound rather less scary than 26.2 miles around the disused cells.
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