ATW Bedford Running Festival

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Russell Park during Bedford's Running Festival, taking place on September 5th and 6th. This festival is more than just a race; it’s an experience that combines running with community spirit, live entertainment, delicious food, and family-friendly activities.
The event kicks off on Saturday, September 5th, starting at 3 PM with the Bedford 5K run. Participants can then join the Fun Run for children under 8 (accompanied by a paying adult) at 4:30 PM or opt for the atmospheric Twilight 10K that begins at 5:30 PM in the evening.
The festival continues on Sunday, September 6th with two challenging races: the Half Marathon and a grueling 20-Mile run. Both events start promptly at 9:30 AM from Russell Park’s picturesque setting.
Every finisher will receive custom-designed medals and race goodies as rewards for their efforts. For those who tackle more than one distance over the weekend, excluding the Fun Run, there's an additional special double-finisher reward up for grabs. This year, double finishers get to spin a prize wheel filled with exciting gifts.
The festival village transforms into a lively hub of activities throughout both days. Enjoy live music performances on Saturday evening from 6 PM featuring Fearlessly Taylor singing classic hits by Taylor Swift and Andy John performing Freddie Mercury’s greatest songs. Liam will also entertain the crowd with smash hits by Robbie Williams, creating an unforgettable musical experience for all.
In addition to racing, the festival offers a fully stocked bar, delicious street food vendors, a funfair, and plenty of activities designed for families. The event is free to enter on Saturday evening when live acts take over Russell Park.
Bedford Running Festival also supports local charities by providing opportunities for runners to secure free entries through fundraising efforts. Participants can sign up to run in support of organizations such as Link To Change Living It Up, Embrace Deaf Access Bedford Mind BLMK Road Victims Trust Hope Works & Friends For Life and Alzheimer's Research UK.
Registration includes the option to purchase a festival t-shirt available for collection at Russell Park on either day of the event.
Join us this September in Bedford for an unforgettable weekend celebrating running, community spirit, and family fun. Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of the most popular events in the region!
Follow ATW Bedford Running Festival on Facebook & Instagram for updates and race coverage.
For more information about transfers or refunds, visit our dedicated policy page where you can find details on how to transfer your entry up until 48 hours before your scheduled event date. We trust that all participants will make informed decisions regarding their entries.
Join the ATW community online by sharing your dreams and achievements across social media platforms or seek advice from fellow runners in the ATW Chat Facebook group.
Organised by ATW, this festival is part of a larger effort to promote health, fitness, and charity through running events nationwide. Since 2011, ATW has grown into a well-respected national event company with over 40,000 annual entries across various disciplines including Running, Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquathon, Cycling, Swimming and more.
See you in Bedford this September!