The Great English Plastic Duck Race
by The English do have a reputation for being eccentric but I think racing plastic ducks is quite normal.
The Great British Duck Race is an annual event which is held in late August. It runs from Molesey Lock, Hampton Court Bridge, on the River Thames down to the Sherrif Boat Club at Albany Reach.
Ready, Steady, Go!
Thousands of yellow plastic ducks, each with a personal number, are released into the flow of the river.
The Race is On
The race itself takes about three hours and is great fun for all. There is also a large cash prize for the winning duck (hence, the numbering.) Each contestant pays £2 per duck and the winning one receives £10,000. There are a lot of other prizes which have been donated for the event and the bulk of the money collected goes to chosen charities. In 2008 these were Downs Syndrome Trust, Water aid and NSPCC.
More than 250,00 ducks swim the one kilometre course and it is possible to walk along and follow them. There are entertainments and refreshments at the end of the course.
And The Winner Is……
If you are worried about the environmental impact of quarter of a million plastic ducks in the River Thames , don’t be. The race in run, or paddled, in conjunction with the River Authority and every single duck is picked up and counted during the clear up operation.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post Commentmaranatha
On February 18, 2009 at 10:47 am
What fun! I can see the side bets going on as well….
Kate Smedley
On February 18, 2009 at 12:30 pm
That looks great fun, I might have a go myself this year, thanks for that Louie, and all in a good cause!
Bren Parks
On February 18, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Oh I would love to be in on that…what fun!!!
hfj
On February 18, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Nice article. We have the same event where i live with the plastic ducks. It is all done for charity. Well done.
C Jordan
On February 18, 2009 at 1:45 pm
A duck flashmob event! I love it.
Betty Carew
On February 18, 2009 at 1:53 pm
This is so funny , St John’s has the same race at the same time every year on the Rennie’s River. I think the first one that comes in gets a certain amount of money.Great article Louie I really enjoyed it!
Patrick Bernauw
On February 18, 2009 at 2:08 pm
This is great!
Lee Altman
On February 18, 2009 at 3:56 pm
What a fun read . A real joy
Daisy Peasblossom
On February 18, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Nice to hear about fun going on in the world.
CHAN LEE PENG
On February 18, 2009 at 8:24 pm
This is fun and interesting!
Ruby Hawk
On February 18, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Isn’t this a fun thing to do? I’ll bet the kids love it.
Judy Sheldon
On February 18, 2009 at 8:54 pm
We have one we hold locally too. I cannot wait until the weather is nicer to enjoy such things.
Yovita Siswati
On February 18, 2009 at 9:42 pm
wow..very interesting and surely full of fun.
Fegger
On February 19, 2009 at 9:48 am
We do the duck race too. I never win. I either get the blind one who finds refuge in fallen trees or the “navigationally challenged” one who somehow fights the currents to go upstream! It’s a good thing I don’t bet more than $1 on them!
George W Whitehead
On February 21, 2009 at 2:50 am
We Brits know how to do eccentricity! Great article, Louie.
denus
On February 21, 2009 at 5:53 pm
that would be awesome, i want to participate!
Lex92
On February 21, 2009 at 9:13 pm
that sounds like a blast!
Vikram Chhabra
On February 22, 2009 at 6:15 pm
That was a really nice article to read. Very interesting. I guess its all about having a good time.