Easter Duck race, 2008

This years event was another great success, with possibly the largest turn out of spectators yet. With half an hour to go before the 'duck off' there was a sudden flurry of snow, but by the time the ducks took to the water, the sun was out and the river was in fine condition, cleared and ready for a good race.

The start was slow with a few early break aways, but experienced racers know that an early break from the pack rarely brings in results, and so it was to be this year, as two ducks, sponsored by both this authors wife and mother made an early run for it only to get snagged on the home straight.

There was then quite a lull in activity as worried organisers were considering what to do if no ducks made any kind of move before darkness, but luckily, from about half way down the pack there was a conspiracy of ducks who broke free from the loitering pack and caught a valuable  current, taking the the long, but faster way around the island and then down onto the finishing straight at some speed. My wife wasn't too pleased as they raced by her stranded number 41 without so much as a waved wing.

With the top three across the line, the 'Last Duck' was beyond any doubt, as it sat happy in the reeds just beyond the first corner.

Results:

1st (£150) Duck Number 290:

Hollie Brown

2nd (£75) Duck Number 148:

Simon Boam

3rd (£25) Duck Number 146:

Simon Boam

Last Duck (£50) Duck Number 169:

Pauline Gee

Getting Ready to start

And they're off, approaching the first corner

It wasn't just humans who had backed a duck

The field starts to spread out in the cold Spring sunshine

Snarestone's own Murray Walker, in full flow

Wondering where their ducks got to!

The duck race is run by the Snarestone Tote Committee in order to raise funds for the village children and OAPs and is used for various events such as Christmas parties and summer mystery trips. (See 'village events' on this site). If you would like to know more, or wish to enter the Tote drawn every Sunday night, please contact this website or one of the committee members.