Race HQ: Lincroft Academy, Oakley, Bedfordshire MK43 7RE
(Incorporating the Bedfordshire AAA County Championships)

Bedford Harriers AC is delighted to accept entries for our popular 20-mile Oakley 20 open road running race.

Taking place in the villages to the north of Bedford, on Sunday, 29th March 2026, this sell-out race starts in the village of Oakley. Two circular laps take runners through Pavenham, Felmersham and Stevington villages with a finish outside Lincroft Academy School in Oakley. The course is measured, undulating and not suitable for wheelchair athletes.

Starting at 09:30, the race is limited to 800 entrants and the minimum age of competitors is 18 years and over on the day of the race. All finishers receive an iconic Oakley 20 hoodie as a race memento. There is a strict 4½-hour time limit to complete the course. Race incorporates Bedfordshire AAA County Championship (entry criteria applies).
 

Course records are currently held by Matthew Janes 1:48:10 (Male, 2009) and Johanna Oregan 2:07:02 (Female, 2025).
 

Changing facilities * toilets * secure baggage * hot & cold refreshments * medical provision * water stations * iconic hoodie to finishers * AG & Team Awards * Chip start to chip finish.
 

On the course, runners can expect enthusiastic support and encouragement from the Bedford Harriers marshals and sweep vehicle.
 

Bedford Harriers AC operates a strict NO head/earphones/open ear/bone conducting head/earphones or similar equipment policy at all our races. Any runner found to be wearing anything other than a medical or prescription device to aid hearing will be disqualified.

Your race memento – the iconic Oakley 20 hoodie - the selection of race memento hoodie size is made at time of your original online entry. This also applies to transfer entries. When you collect your hoodie, you will be given the hoodie size as recorded at this time. No dialogue will be entered into on the subject. The cut off date to guarantee the size is midnight 6th March 2026. Any entries after this date - we will have a selection available and will do our utmost to accommodate all finishers with the appropriate size.

Refunds and Deferment Policy - In the eventuality this event is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, safety reasons or circumstances beyond our control, there will be no entry deferment or refund. Organising an event requires a considerable amount of forward planning, risk and expense and as soon as we begin to organise this event, we start to incur costs. Your entry fee is invested into the cost of staging the event - everything from safety pins to printing, hiring of toilets to ordering iconic hoodies and applying for race permits and marketing costs. Bedford Harriers AC does not, therefore offer a refund facility.

We do offer a generous transfer facility - you can update your entry or transfer to another person using the link in your registration email.  This must be completed at least 30 minutes before the race starts.