Introducing ... the quick and the bed

The inaugural event last year raised $30,000 for the Hospices of Auckland.

Strange bedfellows will descend on Auckland Domain this morning.

Racing beds will be flying around from 11am, as teams of seven take part in the King Koil Great Auckland Bed Race.

Teams first decorate their beds and don costumes for a novelty fancy dress parade at noon.

At 2pm, the teams strip off their costumes to race their beds around a 3km course. All teams consist of one passenger, sitting or lying in the bed, and six runners.

The inaugural event last year raised $30,000 for the Hospices of Auckland. This year, teams can support their charity of choice.

New to the event is an entry from StarJam, featuring young people aged from six to 25. StarJam's Auckland regional programmes co-ordinator Stefanie Banbury said the race provided a great opportunity to build confidence in young people.

"There are some experienced competitors in the bed race. We'll give it our best shot," she said.