SPANISH FORT, Ala. — May the best turtle win in Covenant Hospice’s first Turtle Derby on the Delta Sunday.

The race begins at 2 p.m. at Sardine Pass at Five Fivers, Alabama’s Delta Resource Center. Rubber turtle adoptions will be held the day of the event from noon until 1:30 p.m.

Winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m., Jackie Crews, development manager at Covenant Hospice, said.

“Proceeds will benefit unfunded patient care, services and nonreimbursment programs in Mobile County,” Crews said.

Between 1,000 and 2,000 rubber turtles are expected to race to the finish line where prizes will be given to the turtle’s adopter.

Rubber turtle adoptions cost $5 for one; six for $25; 12 turtles for $50; and 30 turtles can be adopted for $125, according to a news release.

Turtles can be adopted online at covenanthospice.org, the Hospice’s official Web site.

Oil containment booms will keep the turtles together and the Delta free from any runaways during the race, Crews said.

First place will win a New Orleans getaway package featuring a two-night stay at the Best Western Landmark Hotel; two swamp tours; a $30 gift certificate to Café   Beignet; a tour for two at Oak Valley Plantation; and a tour for two on the Steamboat Natchez, the release said.

The second-place prize is a University of Alabama football autographed by coach Nick Saban.

Third turtle to cross the finish line will win its adopter a baseball autographed by San Diego Padres pitcher, and Mobile native, Jake Peavy.

Other prizes include passes to the Mobile Museum of Art; Mobile Symphony tickets; a three-month membership to Omni Health and Fitness; gold-plated earrings from Hayes Jewelers; Mobile Ballet tickets; a Pump It Up mini birthday party package; a Cornerstone Photography session with an 8-by-10 portrait, among many others, according to the Web site.

Five Rivers will also give free 20-minute Delta tours on the Pelican pontoon beginning at 10 a.m., Crews said. Delta tours will last throughout the day until about 4 p.m. and are open to everyone. There will be a break at about 1:30 p.m. so the captain can place the turtles in the water for the race, Shonda Borden, assistant manager at Five Rivers, said.

Inflatable play structures will be available for the kids; also present will be turtle-related kids crafts, food and live turtles, Crews said.

Five Rivers is located on the causeway in Spanish Fort — across from Meaher State Park — at 30945 Five Rivers Blvd. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, or to adopt a turtle by phone, call Jackie Crews at 478-8671.