20 Mile
Sun 6 Sep 2026 Bedford, Bedfordshire, UK

ATW Bedford Running Festival | 20 Mile

Perfect marathon training! 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!

  • Sun 6 Sep 2026
Russell Park, Bedford
20 Mile

09:30

Age 18 & over

£35-£37

  • 20 miles road running + 72 ft ascent

Event overview

Join thousands for Bedfordshire’s biggest weekend of running at the Bedford Running Festival — a vibrant mix of races, live entertainment and family fun in Russell Park.

With distances for all abilities, from the Fun Run and Bedford 5K to the Twilight 10K, Half Marathon and 20-Miler, there’s something for everyone. Every finisher earns a bespoke medal and race goodies, and those completing multiple events receive an exclusive double finisher reward.

But this festival is more than just running — it’s a weekend celebration of fitness, music and community spirit. Enjoy live bands, delicious street food, a funfair, family activities and a buzzing festival village. Whether you’re running, supporting or soaking up the atmosphere, it’s a weekend to remember.

Highlights

  • Choice of Fun Run, 5K, Twilight 10K, Half Marathon and 20-Miler
  • Festival village with live music, street food, funfair and entertainment
  • Custom-designed medals and rewards for all finishers
  • Special bonus medal for completing two or more races
  • Family-friendly atmosphere in Russell Park, Bedford
  • First weekend of September — the ultimate summer running celebration

This event is part of ATW Bedford Running Festival.

Event video

  • Average fitness
  • 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

  • Bone conducting headphones only
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Marshals
  • Traffic free
  • Water stations
  • Way markers
  • GPX available

GPX route

The route is displayed on the map above.

If you're training for a marathon in autumn, this event is for you.

runners

Marathons are a huge challenge and can be an intimidating prospect for anyone regardless of fitness or ability. Having additional commitments such as charity fundraising targets, expectations and goals means that you need your marathon build-up to be as beneficial as possible making this event an ideal milestone.

The 20-miler runs alongside the Bedford Half Marathon.

  • Paid parking
  • Park
  • Secure bag storage
  • 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!

  • Chip timing
  • Goody bag
  • Medal

There are so many reasons to run!

Included

  • Awesome finisher medal
  • Live results service
  • Flat, fast traffic-free course
  • Chip timing
  • Access to post-race festival
  • Town centre location
  • Great goody bag
  • Free finisher drink
  • Free yoga and wellness
runners

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

  • Bring your own cup
  • Optional t-shirt
  • 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

  • Age 18 & over
  • Entries open
  • Enter online

Entry fees

Early bird entry fee

£35.00

Early bird entry fee

£37.00

Other races at event

  • Sat 5 Sep 2026
  • #1 of 0
Russell Park, Bedford
Fun Run

16:30

All ages

£12

  • 1 mile road running + 0 ft ascent
  • Sat 5 Sep 2026
  • #2 of 0
Russell Park, Bedford
5K

15:00

Age 11 & over

£18-£20

  • 5 km road running + 33 ft ascent
  • Sat 5 Sep 2026
  • #3 of 0
Russell Park, Bedford
10K

17:30

Age 15 & over

£24-£26

  • 10 km road running + 66 ft ascent
  • Sun 6 Sep 2026
  • #4 of 0
Russell Park, Bedford
Half Marathon

09:30

Age 17 & over

£32-£34

  • 13.1 miles road running + 59 ft ascent

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4 steps to wellbeing
Sleep well

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Train slow

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Eat natural

Cut out sugar & junk food, reduce carbs, eat natural foods and train your body to burn fat for fuel.

Get outdoors

Fresh air, natural light and reconnecting with nature all help to improve mental and physical wellbeing.