Great Boulder Duck Race returns to Scott Carpenter Pool on Sunday

Deborah Swearingen, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·2 min read

Aug. 27—Some 3,000 ducks will race down the lazy river at Scott Carpenter Pool on Sunday during the annual Great Boulder Duck Race.

The free event, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the PLAY Boulder Foundation, has been a Boulder fixture for 34 years.

According to Boulder Parks and Recreation spokesperson Jonathan Thornton, to become eligible to win a prize at the event, community members need to adopt a duck for $10 each. All duck adoptions, whether individual or via a team, are eligible to win an individual prize in the race.

Adoption teams will compete to adopt the most ducks, and the final top three will win the team prizes.

Additionally, there will be two prize drawings, for which attendees can purchase tickets at Sunday's event.

The event had for decades been hosted at the Boulder Creek. However, it moved to the pool last year due to environmental concerns about plastic ducks getting stuck and flowing down the creek.

According to a city news release, hosting the event at the pool avoids unpredictable creek water levels and generally improves safety.

In addition to the duck race, there will be other attractions, including a synchronized swimming performance by local team 5280Synchro and a slide naming ceremony for the two new water slides at the pool.

Money raised during the event will help PLAY Boulder, Boulder Parks and Recreation Department's philanthropic nonprofit, support equitable access to recreation activities for under-resourced youth and people with disabilities.

"Boulder is about community and inclusivity," Stephanie O'Neil, a board member for PLAY Boulder who is in her fourth year of assisting with the Duck Race, stated in the release.

In addition to the various programs the organization supports, money raised on Sunday will help enhance Boulder's neighborhood parks.

The Scott Carpenter Pool, at 29th Street and Arapahoe Avenue, will be open all day with swimming ending at 3 p.m. Swimmers are welcome to stay and attend the Duck Race, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m.

To purchase ducks or to learn more, visit playboulder.org/duckrace.