Around 60,000 rubber ducks in Chicago river had created an unusual traffic jam.

For the 11th year, Special Olympics Illinois hosted the Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby. The rubber racing ducks, “adopted” by individuals and teams have been dumped into the river from a truck on the Columbus Drive bridge.

Allie Reninger, a Darling Duckling sales team member said, “It was amazing how many ducks were in the water” . As this Duck Ambassador for this year, Reninger plucked the first-place duck out of the water.

The 22 years old has won more than 50 medals in her 16 years of competition. She wore her first and latest medals to the race.

Of her first medal, for track and field, she told, “It’s important because when I was 5, I was not able to walk.” She won the latest at a state-level volleyball competition.

Allie Reninger, 22 years old, the duck ambassador for this year, is a member of the "Darling Ducklings" sales team and a Special Olympics athlete.

The festivities started at 10 AM outside the Wrigley Building, 400 N. Michigan Ave., with music, games, and of course, duck adoptions. Donations ranged between $5 for a single duck to $1,000 for 240. All proceeded to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.

According to the derby’s website, 57,153ducks were adopted.

Passersby played bean-bag toss, took pictures with a giant inflatable duck and had their faces painted.

By Prakriti Neogi