King Duck tests water as tickets go on sale for Ilkley Duck Race

Tickets are now on sale for the Great Ilkley Duck Race

The Great Ilkley Duck Race is coming up on Easter Saturday, April 19, and event organisers, Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club’s King Duck has been down testing the water in the River Wharfe.

The ducks will be launched from the New Brook Street Bridge and be swept along to a finish line 350 metres downstream.

On race day the first ducks to go at 2.15pm will be the red ducks taken by 100 businesses and shops around the town, before up to 6000 yellow ducks taken by members of the public follow at 2.30pm.

The race, which is held in support of local charities, is sponsored this year by Yorkshire Hot Tubs.

The company, on Leeds Road, Ilkley, sells resistance swim spas as well as luxury hot tubs - and is offering a 5% discount on all products to customers who have a valid duck race ticket.

Rotary President Stephen Hey said:

“Local businesses have got us off to a flying start by supporting our Red Duck Business Race and we are so grateful for their huge generosity.

“With the public behind us for the Yellow Duck Race at £2 a duck, we can donate much needed money to various charities in the town”.

Prizes will be awarded to the first six yellow ducks to finish, starting at £200 for the winner, £100 to the runner-up, £75 for the third, and £50 for the 4th, 5th and 6th.

Tickets are now available online here or search 'Ilkley Duck Race 25'.

Race tickets will also be on sale at the Rotary gazebo on The Grove on Saturday March 29, at Tesco on Saturday April 5, the Real Yorkshire Market on Sunday April 6, The Grove Market on Saturday April 12 and at Tesco on Sunday April 13.