New Year's Day Duck Race - Thursday 1st January 2026
Whitworth’s New Year’s Day Duck Race has become an egg-citing success and a popular event in the Whitworth calendar. The ducks take to the water at the overflow of Cowm Reservoir on Tong Lane on New Year's Day.
The Duck Race is organised Whitworth Town Council’s Tourism and Leisure Committee, and all proceeds are ploughed back into tourism and leisure events for the town.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, numbered ducks sponsored for a pound are entered into the Duck Race, with cash prizes for first, second and third place ducks of £150, £125 and £100. Even the last duck wins £25!! Results will be announced at the end of the race and the winners will be contacted to arrange distribution of prizes.
Ducks can be sponsored online soon and at upcoming Tourism and Leisure Committee events. Alternatively ducks can be sponsored on the day at Cowm reservoir, just look out for our hi-viz volunteers at the event.
Results of the race will be on the Tourism and Leisure Committee of Whitworth's Facebook page and also updated on this page shortly after the race is finished.