SPANISH FORT, Ala. — “I see him, Mama. I see him. Do you see him?” squealed Kaitlyn Bauer from the expansive deck overlooking Sardine Pass.

The “him” in question was rubber turtle No. 234 as 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort hosted the third annual Turtle Derby on the Delta Sunday, benefiting Covenant Hospice in Mobile.

From start to finish the race of 1,000-strong took less than 15 minutes, but the excitement as the crowd of several hundred onlookers shouted “Ready. Set. Go.” was palpable.

“I don’t know what we win, but I wanna win something,” said Leslie Pollman of Grand Bay, flanked by her four cousins, all vying for the best spot to watch their contenders dip and bob for dominance and bragging rights.

“I just want to be in one of the kayaks scooping up the turtles when it’s over,” said Justin Draper, 8, of Daphne from the air-conditioned comfort of the facility’s main hall. It was obvious from the Spider Man pattern being painted across his face he had more important things to do than join the crowd on the pier.

Indeed, about 21 members of the Mobile Bay Kayak and Fishing Association herded the neon green competitors toward the checkered finish line and stood ready to nudge stragglers back into formation.

As of 5 p.m. Monday, preliminary figures indicated the event netted $10,755 to help offset costs for uninsured Covenant Hospice clients in Mobile and to help the organization fuel unfunded programs such as bereavement, chaplain and child-support services.

Jackie Crews, development manager for Pensacola, Fla.-based Covenant’s Mobile office, said organizers definitely feel like the event “turned a corner” in its third year and plans are already being made to boost the number of online turtle adoptions and sponsorship opportunities for the 2011 event.

“We were just so thrilled with the turnout and just so excited to see everybody having such a good time. We owe the staff at 5 Rivers a huge thank you because we absolutely couldn’t do this event anywhere else,” Crews said.

Of course, an array of snazzy prizes didn’t hurt, either.

Although it was a close one, Dr. Todd Bennett and Turtle No. 835 looked more like the hare than the tortoise snagging the grand prize: a University of Alabama football autographed by Nick Saban.

Meanwhile:

*Melanie Lomax and Turtle No. 364 floated away with second place and a weekend get-away package for two to Isle Casino in Biloxi.

*Thomas Mathis and Turtle No. 631 edged out the slow-pokes for third place and a dining-out package crammed with $250 in gift certificates from local restaurants.

*Gail Harrington and Turtle No. 317 rounded out the top four taking home a one-night stay for two at the Battle House Hotel.