The Great British Duck Race began at 1:30pm today with 165,000 yellow ducks being released from the lock near Hampton Court bridge on the River Thames. They raced energetically downstream over a 1Km course and sometimes struggled to avoid the floating booms, swirling eddies and the occassional boat.

Intending to raise over £500,000 ($1million) for more than 460 charities in the UK this inaugural annual event claims the Guinness World Record for the largest duck race. Thousands lined the river bank to watch as the cheering and chanting crowds egged on their respective numbers.