The Great Alabama 650

Paddlers from across the globe converge on Alabama for the 6th edition of the Great Alabama 650 race. Professional paddlers will face whitewater, battle tidewater currents, and traverse around nine dams in this 650-mile adventure-style race. Kicking off in Northeast Alabama at Weiss Lake on Sept 21 spectators can cheer for racers on riverbanks in Gadsden, Pell City, Wetumpka, Montgomery, Selma, Fairhope, and more. The course is the core section of the Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT), extending from Weiss Lake in North Alabama to the Gulf at Ft. Morgan. Racers have ten days to finish the 650-mile race and can use kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards interchangeably throughout the nonstop racing event. Spectators can also follow virtually at AL650.com, where organizers will post a live map reporting up-to-the-minute updates on each racer’s progress.