Sun shines on successful Great Ilkley Duck Race

5000 ducks started the race at New Brook Street bridge

After weeks of grey skies and persistent rain, which could have threatened the event, the clouds rolled back and the sun shone on another highly successful Great Ilkley Duck Race on Saturday 18 April 2026, raising £13,500.

Organised by the Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club, the Yellow Duck Race was preceded by the Red Business Duck Race – both started from the New Brook Street bridge.

Derek Richards, President of the Ilkley Wharfedale Rotary Club said:

“We’ve discovered over the years that the organisation of a duck race is not an exact science, the vagaries of the British weather mean too much rain – or too little – can put a stop to it, so we’ve often had a few tense days in the run-up. Thankfully we’ve only had to cancel once in the six years since we revived the Race but we’ve had a few sleepless nights”.

This year, on the day, conditions were perfect - but a strong current on the Wharfe left the young families walking the 400 metre course having to keep up a good pace with their prams and pushchairs to follow the 5000 ducks in the water.

Derek added:

“It was a warm, sunny afternoon which repaid the efforts put in by everyone – and we are once again deeply grateful to our lovely loyal followers, and supporting businesses, who dug deep to buy their tickets.

“I also need to thank the many non-Club members who assisted on the day – we had 20 Club Members and another 20 helpers – it’s a big event to organise”.

The day’s main sponsor was Grove Mortgages, an independent mortgage broker set up in Burley-in-Wharfedale last year, organiser Chris Jones said:

“Sponsorship like this is so important to the success of the event,it is very public spirited of Grove Mortgages to underwrite the significant costs of running the event and which this year helped us raise £13,500”.

The eight nominated local charities benefitting are:

Ilkley Food Bank, Friends of Ilkley Riverside Parks, Ilkley Youth Club, Clarke Foley, Ilkley Great Get Together, Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre, LS29 Special Needs Support Group, and Improving Ilkley. The Rotary Club will be organising a Duck Donation Day in the near future to hand over funds.

Ilkley Town Crier Isabel Ashman cried at the start of each race

Ilkley Town Crier Isabel Ashman led the countdowns for the days two races. First off, in the Business Duck Race, were the hundred red ducks purchased by local shops and businesses, followed 15 minutes later by the 5000 yellow ducks bought by members of the public.

First prize in the business race was a party night sponsored by the town’s Ticket Office Bar and Restaurant. Ilkley resident and Author Sir Rodney Brooke won, with Duck no 081.

Second prize went to The Ilkley Shoe Company, whose duck no 076 won them a £150 Ilkley Gift Card, sponsored by the Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID). Owner Paul Craggs was delighted with his prize, and plans to take his staff out for a meal in the town.

Treats are also in store for the employees of Third prize winner,  Ideal Extraction, of Ilkley, whose  Duck No 079, brought them home an Ilkley Gift Card for £100, donated by Ilkley Business Forum.

The six cash prizes in the Yellow Duck Race went to:

• 1^st prize of  £200         Ella Fitzpatrick, of Ilkley (Duck number 4007)

• 2^nd prize of £100         Julia Whewell, of Skipton (3422)

• 3^rd prize  of  £75          John Coen, of Ilkley (3457)

• 4^th prize of   £50          Alan Coultish of Ilkley (4500)

• 5^th prize of   £50          David Johnson of Ilkley (4408)

• 6^th prize of   £50          Bethany Raftery of Queensbury (2396)

Ella Fitzpatrick won 1st Prize