record 2,947 ducks took to the water for the New Year’s Day Duck Race 2026

News 1st January 2026

A record 2,947 ducks took to the water for the New Year’s Day Duck Race in Lyme Regis, with large crowds lining the banks of the River Lym to watch the colourful spectacle. Demand for the popular event was so high that all the ducks were sold well before the race began.

Organised by the Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee, the race is one of the group’s key fundraising events. The voluntary committee works throughout the year to raise money for and organise the town’s Christmas lights display.

At midday, the ducks were released from Woodmead Road Bridge and made their way downstream along the River Lym, heading for the finish line at Jordan Flats as spectators cheered them on from the riverbank.

The winners were:

1st place (£100): Duck 16 – Glen Irving

2nd place (£50): Duck 229 – A. C. Wilson

3rd place (£20): Duck 2789 – Vix Rodwell

Last duck home (£10): Duck 2394 – Natasha Hopkins

Members of the Lyme Regis Fire Crew formed the in-river team, joined by Noah Turner and local window cleaner Steve Parsons. They ensured the ducks stayed on course along the river and helped collect them at the finish line ready for the next race.

The event was kindly sponsored by the Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium, with all proceeds going towards the Lyme Regis Christmas Lights 2026 fund.