Thames gets ready for Great British Duck Race
28 July 2008
The Great British Duck Race, in association with Bathstore is spreading its wings! The River Thames will turn bright blue when a quarter of a million ducks take to the river.
The Great British Duck Race takes place on Sunday 31 August, on a 1km stretch of the River Thames near Hampton Court Palace. 2008 will see the existing World Record blown out of the water!
At 12.30pm on “DUCK DAY” a quarter of a million individually numbered blue plastic ducks will be dropped into Molesey Lock and then released into the Thames to begin the race at 1.30pm. It is anticipated that the race will take one hour and thirty minutes to complete, with the natural current of the river carrying the ducks along the course.
It costs just £2 to “Adopt a Duck” at www.thegreatbritishduckrace.co.uk and be in with a chance of winning one of 30 fantastic prizes, including £10,000 for the first duck to cross the finish line. Participants can also choose to make a donation to one of over 500 UK registered benefiting charities.
The Duck Race is working in close partnership with the River Thames Alliance and the Environment Agency to ensure that every plastic duck is removed from the Thames on completion of the race and then recycled or reused. Spectators and participants are welcome to attend the race where there will be a celebrity starting the race, entertainment, charity stands and refreshments being served along the course near Hampton Court.
Mike Scott, Managing Director of the Great British Duck Race, said: “The Duck Race is a fantastic opportunity to have some fun, raise some serious money for a range of good causes and have the chance to win £10,000, as well as take part in a Guinness World Record attempt. I believe that this event appeals to children and adults of all ages and I would like to encourage as many charities, pupils, employees, friends and relatives to take part and spread the word.”