C. Michael Witters, Charlotte Kingsbury and Register employees were the winners Friday in the annual Retail Merchants Committee Duck Race.

Each claimed a $500 prize.

Witters purchased his duck at The Corner while Kingsbury purchased hers at the Daily Republican Register office.

The race had 733 ducks, up from 723 in the 2007 event.

The greatest number of sales was in 2000, when 968 ducks were sold and entered in the race.

The Corner had the greatest number of sales this year with 99. Another 75 ducks were sold during Ag Days. WSJD sold 69 ducks with Gottman's Jewelry coming in next with 65. The Attic has sales of 51 with Regions Bank selling 29. Twenty-eight ducks were purchased at the pool. The Daily Republican Register, First Bank, Scooters, Taco Tierra and First National Bank each sold 25 ducks.

Old National Bank sold 22 ducks with Snoopers and Ben Franklin each selling 21. Sixteen ducks were purchased at both the Chamber of Commerce office and Borowiak's IGA, C&C Kids Stop, Smith Jewelers, Wabash General Hospital and DK Variety sold 15, 14, 13 and 11, respectively.

Van's Auto Body, Feather Your Nest and Your Flower Shop each sold seven. J. Wilderman Autoplex sold six, Rural King five, WYNG and Mt. Carmel Public Utility four each, and Pamida and Hogg Heaven two each.