CENTRE — Weiss Lake to Fort Morgan.
650 miles.
25 paddlers.
10 days.
It’s the Great Alabama 650.
More than two dozen of the best paddlers from across North America and Europe will converge on Alabama in October for the seventh annual Great Alabama 650, a statewide race that pushes endurance paddling to its limits.
Racers will face whitewater, battle tidewater currents and traverse around nine dams in this 650-mile nonstop, adventure-style paddle race.
“Very few races around the world allow paddlers to change out their watercraft,” said Race Director Greg Wingo. “Because we have a mix of flat water, whitewater, and bay water, we want racers to be able to paddle whatever is most comfortable for them in each condition.”
It kicks off Oct. 4 in Cherokee County at Weiss Lake Boat Launch between Centre and Cedar Bluff; spectators can cheer for paddlers during the race from riverbanks in Gadsden, Pell City, Wetumpka, Montgomery, Selma, Fairhope and more.
The race course is the core section of the longest National Water Trail, the Alabama Scenic River Trail, which extends from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Northeast Alabama down through the heart of Alabama and on to Mobile Bay and the Gulf.
The race is hosted by the Alabama Scenic River Trail, the state’s official paddling resource, collaborating with communities to promote recreation, economic vitality and stewardship of Alabama’s waterways.
Racers will have up to 10 days to finish the race and secure a first-place win in one of three divisions: male solo, female solo and two-person team. Participants can interchangeably use kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards throughout the event.
Spectators can follow virtually at AL650.com, where a live map will report up-to-the-minute updates on the racer’s progress. Live race information will also be available through Facebook and Instagram posts, official race accounts (@GreatAlabama650) or by searching #AL650.
The nonprofit Alabama Scenic River Trail maintains and promotes the core National Water Trail, along with a network of over 6,500 miles of paddling trails throughout the state. The trail network spans from North Alabama mountain streams and whitewater rapids to South Alabama’s river deltas, making it one of the most varied water trail networks in the nation.
For information, visit ASRT.me.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
