It's Bed Race time!

It's on! The River is low; the weather will be fine; the safety barriers are in place; the rides are arriving and the excitement has reached fever pitch. The 2014 Great Knaresborough Bed Race, the 49th in a sequence going back to 1966, is ready to rumble through the medieval streets, the glorious parkland and the mysterious Gorge of Knaresborough.

90 will are taking part - that is, 560 runners and 90 passengers. There are a hundred members of marching bands and dance schools getting ready for the Parade. Each of the teams have their helpers. There are 250 volunteers to manage the event and keep it accident-free. Thousands more will turn up to watch. Hostelries have boosted their stocks; shops are full to bursting; judges have honed their perceptive instincts and the media is on hand to record this unique sporting spectacular.

What's more to say? Good luck to all and let the Bed Race begin!