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Annual Great Ilkley Duck Race returns next month

Tuesday, 24 March 2026 06:05

King Duck training his ducks!

King Duck is getting his ducks all in line ready for next month’s Great Ilkley Duck Race.

Organised by the Ilkley Wharfedale Club Rotarians who are hoping to sell all 6000 yellow ducks this year race on Saturday 18 April.

Ducks are launched into the River Wharfe from the New Brook Street Bridge and be swept along to a finish line 350m downstream.

The first ducks into the water at 2:15pm will be the red ducks taken by 100 businesses and shops around the town. 

The yellow ducks will follow at 2:30pm.

Counting the ducks ahead of 18 April is the duck checking supremo, Judith Dickinson, who said:

 “Some of the ducks are borrowed for our event, so it’s essential every year to check we have the full complement back with us, numbered and ready to go.”

The race is sponsored by the independent, family-run, fee-free mortgage broker, Grove Mortgages in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Race organizer Chris Jones said:

“Local businesses have got us off to a flying start by supporting our Red Duck Business Race again this year and we are so grateful for their huge generosity, particularly at a time when we know business is tough.

“The Ticket Office is supporting us with a first prize of a party night for 25 guests, while Ilkley BID and the Business Forum have provided Ilkley Gift cards, for £150 and £100 for the second and third prizes."

Tickets for the yellow ducks are £2 and the prizes are: £200 for the winner, with runner-up prizes of £100 [2nd], £75 [3rd] and £50 [4th, 5th & 6th].

Chris added:

“We’re hoping to sell all 6000 ducks this year, it’s a big ask but with everyone behind us, we know we can do it.  The more we raise the more we have for our local charities.”

This year the Club have committed to supporting LS29 Group, Clarke Foley, Nell Bank, Friends of Ilkley Riverside Parks, Ilkley Food Bank, the Great Ilkley Get Together, Ilkley Youth Club, and Improving Ilkley - and hope to support other charities depending on the amount raised.

Race tickets will be on sale at the Rotary gazebo on The Grove on Saturday 28 March, at Tesco on Saturday 4 April, the Real Markets Ilkley on Sunday 5 April, The Grove Market on Saturday 11 April and at Tesco on Sunday 12 April. Tickets can also be bought from Rotary club members, and associated charities.

If you can’t get down to buy your tickets in person, they are also available online, search ‘Ilkley Duck Race 2026.’

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