- The duck race is a hidden minigame at Heatwave Harbor in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3.
- Go to the bridge on the north side of Heatwave Harbor and interact with the four colored ducks to start it.
- Follow the ducks downstream through three sets of boxes. Each set drops loot.
- The race ends at a cannon on the south side of Heatwave Harbor. That’s where the best loot drops.
- You do not need to win. Loot drops regardless of which duck finishes first.
- The Mythic Striker Pump Shotgun can drop at the finish line — one of the strongest shotguns in the current loot pool.
- The race takes around 90 seconds and resets every match, so you can run it every game.
The Fortnite Runners duck race minigame is one of the best free loot opportunities in Chapter 7 Season 3. It takes roughly 90 seconds, requires zero combat, and gives you a real shot at a Mythic weapon before the storm even starts closing in.
Where Is the Duck Race in Fortnite Runners
The duck race is located at Heatwave Harbor, one of the main POIs on the Runners map. Specifically, head to the small bridge on the north side of Heatwave Harbor.
You will see four rubber ducks lined up on the south side of the bridge, sitting above the river. That is your start point.
If you are dropping from the Battle Bus and Heatwave Harbor is on the flight path, land directly on the bridge. That puts you right at the trigger point. For a full overview of what else is on the map right now, check our Fortnite Runners map and loot pool guide.
How to Start the Fortnite Duck Race Minigame
Walk up to the four colored ducks on the bridge. Hold the interact button when the prompt appears on screen.
That drops the ducks into the water and starts the race. They will immediately begin floating downstream through Heatwave Harbor.
There is no countdown and no setup menu. Interact once, and the race begins.
How to Complete the Duck Race Step by Step
Step 1 — Follow the Ducks Downstream
Once the ducks hit the water, start moving. Keep up with them as they float south through Heatwave Harbor.
The ducks will reach the first set of boxes. When they collide with the boxes, loot drops on the ground near you. Stop and pick it up, then keep following.
Step 2 — Collect Loot at Each Box Set
There are three sets of boxes along the river route. Each collision drops items — mostly mid-tier weapons and healing. Grab everything you can between each set.
The boxes also speed the ducks up as the race goes on. Stay close so you do not miss any drops.
Step 3 — Reach the Finish Line at the South Cannon
The race ends on the south side of Heatwave Harbor. You will see a cannon marking the finish line.
Once the ducks cross, the cannon fires out the final loot drop. This is the biggest reward of the whole event. Expect Chug Jugs, Gold, Epic and Legendary weapons — and a chance at the Mythic Striker Pump Shotgun.
The whole race takes around 90 seconds from trigger to finish.
Fortnite Duck Race Rewards — What Loot Can You Get
Loot drops at every stage of the race, not just the end. Here is what to expect across the full run:
- Box collisions (x3): Mid-tier weapons, ammo, shields
- Finish line cannon: Chug Jugs, Gold, Epic weapons, Legendary weapons
- Mythic Striker Pump Shotgun: Available as a finish line drop (not guaranteed)
You do not need to win the race. There is no winning or losing mechanic. The loot drops are the same regardless of which duck crosses first. Just stay alive and collect everything.
The Mythic Striker Pump Shotgun is one of the highest-damage shotguns in Runners right now. It is not a guaranteed drop, but the duck race gives you one of the easiest chances to get it without fighting a boss. For a full breakdown of where to find every Mythic this season, see our Fortnite Runners all Mythics locations guide.
Duck Race Fortnite Tips to Survive the Run
The duck race takes 90 seconds. That sounds short, but Heatwave Harbor is a popular drop spot. Other players can and will contest you during the race.
- Drop early on the bridge to trigger the race before anyone else arrives.
- Pick up floor loot on the way to the bridge so you are not completely unarmed.
- Stay near cover as you follow the ducks — the river runs through open space in places.
- Do not sprint ahead of the ducks. Loot drops behind them, not in front. If you outpace them, you will miss items.
- Watch for enemies at the finish line. The cannon is the most obvious part of the event. Players who know about the race will camp that spot.
If you are playing in a squad, split roles: one player follows the ducks while others hold perimeter. That way you get the loot without getting picked off mid-race. For more tips on playing Runners efficiently, see our Fortnite Runners tips and tricks guide.
Can You Run the Duck Race More Than Once
Yes. The duck race resets every match. You can run it once per game as long as you land at Heatwave Harbor before another player triggers it.
If someone else starts the race before you arrive, the ducks will already be in motion. You can still follow them and collect loot — you just will not be the one who triggered it.
This makes Heatwave Harbor a strong consistent drop spot if you are farming weapons or optimizing your loot path for Sprites.
Duck Race and the Duck Sprite Connection
The duck race is not just a fun Easter egg. It ties into the Duck Sprite, one of the Epic-rarity Sprites in Fortnite Runners 2026.
The Duck Sprite replenishes your shields whenever you emote or jam out during a match. It fits the playful theme of the duck race event. If you are running a Duck Sprite build and want to keep shields topped up, learning to use emotes at key moments is part of the strategy.
For more on how Sprites work and which ones are actually worth using, check our Fortnite Runners best Sprites guide. And if you want to know the rarest Sprites in the game right now, see our rarest Sprites in Fortnite Runners breakdown.
Duck Race Fortnite Heatwave Harbor — Other Secrets Nearby
Heatwave Harbor has more than just the duck race. There is also a secret aquarium hidden inside the POI that most players walk past.
Check our Heatwave Harbor secret aquarium guide for the exact location and how to access it.
If you enjoy finding hidden loot rooms across the map, also look at the Cluster Coast secret duck vault and the Fortnite secret gambling loot room — both are worth a visit on a good rotation.
Is the Duck Race Worth Doing Every Match
Yes, if Heatwave Harbor fits your rotation.
The duck race gives you free loot at three separate points along the run, ends with a high-value finish line drop, and takes under two minutes. That is a strong return for zero combat required.
The Mythic Striker Pump Shotgun chance alone makes it worth prioritizing early in a match. Even if you do not get the Mythic, you will leave with usable weapons, healing, and enough Gold to spend at vending machines.
Pair it with a stop at the nearby vault locations and you can build a solid loot path in the first two minutes of a game. For the best current meta weapons to chase this season, see our Fortnite Runners best meta weapons guide.
