5K
Sat 6 Sep 2025 Bedford, Bedfordshire, UK

ATW Bedford Running Festival | 5K

More than just a running race. Join thousands at Bedfordshire’s most popular weekend of running with festival magic, live music, bar, yoga, kids zone, street food, outdoor cinema and fun fair!

  • Sat 6 Sep 2025
Russell Park, Bedford

5K

15:00

Age 11 & over

£17-£21

  • 5 km road running

Event overview

Join in at Russell Park for Bedford's biggest weekend of running and festival fun!

runners with medals and beer

The Bedford Running Festival is more than just a running event, it’s where running meets festival fun and magical memories are made! Throughout the weekend you are promised epic races and entertainment for the entire family. 

When it comes to running, you have the choice to conquer the Raring2go Mini-mile, Bedford 5K, Twilight 10K, Bedford Half Marathon or Bedford 20 mile!

And all the while, there will be plenty of festival vibes back at the event village; with the UK’s biggest mobile bar, live music, food and drink, outdoor cinema, health and well-being area, kids zone and fun fair! 

You are not going to want to miss out on what is sure to be a fantastic weekend!

Highlights

  • More than just a running event
  • Several distances to choose from
  • Well marked course
  • Supportive marshals
  • Chip timed
  • Custom designed medal
  • Finish line snacks and goodies 
  • Great festival atmosphere

This event is part of ATW Bedford Running Festival.

Event video

  • All fitness levels
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators

On the day

Get your stretch on at one of the free yoga classes then grab a beer and some street food and party to live music from local Bedford musicians while the sun sets over the stunning Embankment and river area of the town.

event village

You're not guaranteed a PB but you are guaranteed fun. And don’t forget your medal and finish line goodies! What more could you want?

live music

  • Bag storage
  • Paid parking
  • Park
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Russell Park
The Embankment
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK40 3RH
UK

Parking

Longholme Way car park is available for the day at approximately £5 (pay on exit). The Gates will be locked at the time of the car park closure.

On foot

The Event Village location is just a 12 min walk from Bedford High Street.

By bike

Secure bike parking will be provided inside the Event Village.

By rail

Bedford is just 40 mins from London by train! Bedford train station is on the Midland Main Line from London St Pancras to the East Midlands.

By taxi

There are no drop-offs in Russell Park. You are advised to be dropped off at Aspects Leisure Park (MK41 9LN) and walk in. This will be a perfect warm-up for your race!

  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Marshals
  • No cut off time
  • Traffic free
  • Way markers

Entering a race for the first time can be a daunting prospect, that’s why this race has been designed to be accessible to all.

The course is flat and there are no cut off times. Think of Parkrun but with a medal and a goody bag waiting for you at the finish!

runners

Map

map

Headphones

This road race is licenced by UK Athletics which means the wearing of headphones is strictly prohibited except bone conductors which leave the ear open to marshal instructions, traffic or emergency announcements.

  • Bring your own cup
  • Recycling
  • Sustainability policy

Here are the ways this event cares for the environment:

Summary

  • Recycling bins
  • Recycling gets separated from general waste
  • Finish line water bottles made from recycled material
  • Refill taps are provided so participants can bring their own bottle and fill up during the event
  • The choice of paper cups at water stations
  • Signage including course marking attached with reusable garden wire instead of plastic cable ties
  • 'Dynamic bib assignment’ removes the need for envelopes, sticker labels and excess waste
  • Bike racking is provided to promote cycling to the events

  • Chip timing
  • Goody bag
  • Medal

There are so many reasons to run!

Included

  • Awesome finisher medal
  • Live results service
  • Flat, fast traffic-free course
  • No cut off time
  • Chip timing
  • Access to post-race festival
  • Town centre location
  • Great goody bag
  • Free finisher drink
  • Kids Zone
  • Free yoga and wellness
fun fair

  • Age 11 & over
  • Entries open
  • Collect race pack
  • Enter online

Collect your race number from registration from 1:30pm Saturday.

Entry fees

Entry fee (Unaffiliated)

£21.00

Entry fee (Affiliated)

£19.00

Early bird entry fee

£17.00

Early bird entry fee

£19.00

Great event, very well organised throughout with friendly staff and great Marshall’s and water point staff. David W

Well organised. Friendly. Value for money. Great atmosphere. Great event village. Everything very easy. Damian F

Bedford 5K was a great race, flat, fast course. Definitely a PB chasing run. The festival atmosphere at the event village was incredible. Even the weather was glorious. Well marshalled, plenty of clear signage. Petra W

Just a fab fab fab event. The most massive medal, great tech tee, full goody bag, busy race village, awesome support throughout from spectators and marshals. 100% a PB course - flat flat flat! Leanne S

Thoroughly enjoyed this race and its uniqueness of being an evening race. Location was perfect.. Will definitely be signing up for next year. Alan V

My favourite running festival of the year. I loved my visit to Bedford in September. Adam J

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck

Other races at event

  • Sat 6 Sep 2025
  • #1 of 5
Russell Park, Bedford

Fun Run

16:30

All ages

£10

  • 1 mile road running
  • Sat 6 Sep 2025
  • #3 of 5
Russell Park, Bedford

10K

17:30

Age 15 & over

£23-£28

  • 10 km road running
  • Sun 7 Sep 2025
  • #4 of 5
Russell Park, Bedford

Half Marathon

09:30

Age 17 & over

£29-£37

  • 13.1 miles road running
  • Sun 7 Sep 2025
  • #5 of 5
Russell Park, Bedford

20 Mile

09:30

Age 18 & over

£33-£40

  • 20 miles road running