Got questions about the Rubber Ducky Dash? We've got answers.
All proceeds from the Southern West Virginia Rubber Ducky Dash benefit individuals and families in Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Wyoming, Summers, Mercer, and McDowell Counties, and the town of Bluefield, VA. They are served by our nonprofit partners or receive direct support from United Way of Southern West Virginia.
Everyone who adopts a duck, whether online, by mail, at a Duck Race booth or at a sponsoring business, is entered into eQuack, the database that stores every adoption. Next to your name is the number of ducks you adopted. The tag numbers are shuffled and eQuack randomly assigns your ducks to tag numbers. Adopt 5 ducks and your name sits next to 5 different tag numbers.
Let's tag! A few days before the race, volunteers place a waterproof, numbered tag on the bottom of every duck in the race. That's all 5,000 of them!
Tag numbers are assigned randomly by computer. To keep the race fair, tag numbers are never given out. Rest assured, every duck you adopted will be in the water.
Lucky late adopters can still jump in! Anyone can adopt until one hour before the race starts, as long as the race is not sold out. Their names are placed at random next to tag numbers that do not have a name yet.
The 2027 race date will be announced soon. Follow United Way of Southern West Virginia on Facebook and Instagram so you don't miss it. The first 3 ducks across the finish line win prizes!
A United Way of Southern West Virginia staff member will contact you using the information you provided with your duck adoption.
Rubber ducks, silly!
Anyone 18 years and older may adopt a duck.
No. After you adopt your duck, the Rubber Ducky Dash team will train, coach and make sure each one is ready for race day. After the race, the ducks fly off to their next race somewhere in the United States.
No, you do not. You are always welcome to come cheer the ducks on. Race-day details are coming soon.
Yes, if any of our 5,000 ducks are still available. You can adopt online until one hour before the race starts.
In case of bad weather or anything else that keeps the race from running, ducks will be selected at random and winners will be notified by phone.
Still have questions?
Email tdacal@unitedwayswv.org or call 304.253.2111. We're happy to help!