By RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
The 10th annual Duck Derby was hosted by Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Ellis County at the Hays Aquatic Park on Wednesday to raise funds for the organization’s causes. 6,100 rubber ducks were entered into the race on the park’s lazy river, where the race was narrowed down to hundreds.
The action began with a series of heat races to qualify for the championship race that saw various sponsors reward participants with prizes for last place and the top 10. In the end, Brett Zollinger triumphed over hundreds of other duck owners with the grand prize of $10,000, half of which he plans to donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County.
In addition, the Forward Always Cardboard Regatta Race For A Cause took place in the lap pool, where organizations and community service members, and first responders splashed through the competition with custom-made boats they constructed. High Plains Baptist Church dominated the event, winning the spirit award for their performance along with the championship.
More information can be found at https://www.kansasbigs.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/EllisCoBigs.
Dumping the ducks into the lazy river. 
Keeping the ducks in the path. 
Floating down a short cut. 
Collecting the ducks after the first heat race. 
Hundreds of families and friends gather to watch the action. 
Collecting colorful ducks at the end of the second heat race. 
High Plains Baptist Church members enter the park with their boat. 
Frantically entering the lap pool. 
Jumping onto the boats. 
The Baptist Church rallies behind Werth Wealth Management. 
Finishing first in the beginning heat race. 
A capsized boat floating while its sailors struggle to finish their lap. 
Midwest Energy paddling through the water. 
Focusing on getting to the finish line. 
Midwest Energy beats High Plains Farm Credit in the second heat race. 
A drag race to the other side of the pool. 
Watching the leading duck float down the river. 
Intercepting the winning duck. 
High Plains Baptist Church triumphed in the Forward Always Cardboard Regatta Race For A Cause. 
Brett Zollinger tells Area Director Jenny Bates his plans for his winnings.