Bedford Junior Aquathlon October 2025
The next Bedford Junior Aquathlon will take place on Sunday 12 October 2025 at Robinson Pool in Bedford Park.
The Bedford Junior Aquathlon is a continuous swim and run event.
Children swim and run different distances depending on their school year.
There will be competitions for each year groups – Year 3 to 11, however because the event has a staggered start (each child will go in 30 seconds after the one before) each participant is running their own race.
Participants start on poolside, swim their allocated distance, put running clothes on on poolside and leave via the fire exit and run round the Park. The ‘clock’ is on the whole time.
After the event awards will be presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed in each year group, everyone else’s results will be emailed the following day.
Everyone participating will be given a medal for taking part!
The event will take place in the morning, each year group will have a different registration and start time as there will be a rolling start (and waves for each year), this will be emailed a week before the event once booking is closed.
A parent whose child participated shared "This event was incredibly well-organised! The volunteers were fantastic, encouraging and supportive of all the children throughout the race. It was a fantastic experience for my child, and we can't wait to take part again next year!"
Book your place on the Junior Aquathlon
Bookings will open end of August 2025 for the October 2025 event.
Everyone who has entered will receive an email by Friday 3 October to confirm their individual registration and poolside times.
If you missed out there will be another event in March 2026.
Over the years the Bedford Junior Aquathlon has increased in numbers due to its popularity and high demand.
The safety and enjoyment of the children attending is our first priority so we have made the difficult decision to cap the maximum number of participants to 200. If we reach this number of bookings before the deadline of the 30 September 2025 we will close bookings.
Deadline for Booking form Tuesday 30 September 2025 at 5pm, no bookings will be accepted after the deadline.
Participants must book on before the deadline, no entries will be accepted on the day.
Aquathlon objectives
One of the primary objectives of the Bedford Junior Aquathlon is to promote inclusivity and encourage sports participation among youngsters of all abilities. The event warmly welcomes both novices and seasoned contenders, underscoring its inclusive values. Every participant will receive a medal, while trophies will be awarded to the top three performers in each category to reward their achievements.
Find out the full distances each age group will be required to swim and run (PDF).
Please see the video of our October 2024 Bedford Junior Aquathlon.
Aquathlon rules, running routes and pool layout
Please read the following documents, they contain important information for participants.
- Aquathlon rules (PDF)
- Pool layout for Years 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (PDF)
- Pool layout for Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 (PDF)
- Running route (PDF)
- Over taking in pool (PDF)
- Parking map (PDF)
- Red Route video
- Blue Route video
Important dates for October 2025 Aquathlon
- Booking form available from end of August 2025.
- Deadline for booking form Tuesday 30 September 2025 at 5pm (due to popularity this event will be capped at 200 participants. If we reach this number of bookings before the deadline we will close bookings).
- Email to be sent out to all participants Friday 3 October 2025.
- Bedford Junior Aquathlon – Sunday 12 October 2025 (Robinson Pool and Bedford Park) (1st, 2nd and 3rd presented awards on day).
- Results emailed out to all participants on Monday 13 October 2025.
Participants must book before the deadline, no entries will be accepted on the day.
Email sport@bedford.gov.uk for more information about the Bedford Junior Aquathlon.
See detailed results of the March 2025 event.
Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park 2025
The Sports Development team at Bedford Borough is delighted to announce the tremendous success of this year's Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park, held on Sunday 8 June in Bedford Park. Despite a few rain showers and some strong winds, the event saw a remarkable turnout, with 615 attendees to yoga sessions and 290 individual participants embracing the opportunity to enhance their wellbeing.
The event offered a diverse range of activities, including 16 free yoga sessions and 30 wellness chair massages. Specific sessions proved particularly popular, with the Sound Bath attracting 70 participants, Vinyasa Flow Yoga drawing 60, and Morning Rocket Yoga engaging 64. A dedicated SEND session also provided a welcoming space for 25 participants.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, echoing the sentiments from previous years. Participants praised the inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere, the high quality of instructors, and the opportunity to enjoy free outdoor activities in a community setting.
Feedback from the event
Just a brilliant day. Got to spend quality time with my mum, it was free and outside. The park was buzzing with life and activity, a really beautiful thing to see. Really showcased Bedford, so much so that my mum said ‘I can see myself living here’ (she’s Cambridgeshire). Well done.
"It was great to be doing activities out in such wonderful surroundings. I enjoyed trying new things such as laughter yoga and tapping. Organisation was great. Group leaders were helpful, welcoming and knowledgeable. It was a great event."
Extremely well organised. Incredible instructors with very varied sessions. Overall a great event, feeling extremely relaxed after.
You were asking for feedback and I was wondering if I could pass on to you what I picked up from two participants? They both really enjoyed the day and were very grateful that it was all for free. We have a great Council, they said!
Planning is already underway for next year's Yoga and Wellbeing in the Park, with the aim of building on this year's achievements and continuing to provide valuable opportunities for the community to connect, stay active, and enhance their wellbeing.
If you are interested in taking part, please email amy.stevens@bedford.gov.uk for further information and to register.