CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – It’s time once again for the Great Rubber Duck Race in Charleston, West Virginia!
WOWK 13 News is a media sponsor of the event and you can watch our replay of the race and winner announcements in video players in this article!
At noon today, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, the United Way of Central West Virginia, West Virginia American Water and the City of Charleston started the race where the rubber ducks made their big splash into the Kanawha River from the South Side Bridge!
All 3,075 ducks floated to shore at the Levee Area along Kanawha Boulevard and Haddad Riverfront Park and the first one pulled from the water is this year’s first place winner.
The first place winner will receive $3,000, second place will receive a $1,000 Par Mar Fuel Card and third place will receive $500.
The winners are:
- 1st Place: Lee Benford winning $3,000
- 2nd Place: Catherine Caudill winning $1,000 in Par Mar gas cards
- 3rd Place: Valicia Leary winning $500
Megan Hannah, senior manager at West Virginia American Water, said the 2022 Great Duck Race raised well over $20,000 for the United Way. All the proceeds will benefit individuals and families in West Virginia.
“All the money raised now goes straight back out into the community,” said Margaret O’Neal, president of United Way Central West Virginia. “So, people who participated in the duck race will also participate in the services we provide which we focus heavily on education, healthcare, financial stability and the safety nets that have become more important than ever.”
O’Neal also said there will big announcement coming soon for when the next race, next year will take place.
“I can’t announce it today, but there is a rumor that we may be moving the date to a really popular festival that’s held here in Charleston where the ducks started actually,” O’Neal said. “There will be plans in the works for 2023. So, stay tuned for details.
