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FROM STAFF REPORTS

This year, a group of 25 racers will converge on Alabama for the seventh edition of the Great Alabama 650 paddle race, which will bring together paddlers from across North America and Europe to participate in a 650-mile race Oct. 4-14.

The race is one of the world’s longest and a strong test of endurance for the athletes, who will travel across the state on different types of water and traverse around nine dams in this 650-mile adventure race.

Starting on Weiss Lake in Northeast Alabama, the race will bring paddlers through central Alabama on the Coosa River and into the Blackbelt along the Alabama river, including a trek through Selma and other parts of Dallas County.

Racers will have up to 10 days to finish the race, competing for a first-place win in one of three divisions– male solo, female solo and two-person tandem team with prizes of up to $2,000 up for grabs.

Racers must have completed at least one qualifying race and have a crew prepared to assist them throughout the competition. With only four hours and 45 minutes of mandatory downtime across the 10 days, the adventure is an all-out speed battle to reach the finish line.

Selma will serve as a rest point for the race with a courtesy station set up at the Sandbar.

Participants can use kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards interchangeably throughout the event, primarily due to the variety of water types found in Alabama.

“Very few races around the world allow paddlers to change out their watercraft,” Race Director Greg Wingo said. “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.”

Approximately 50 percent of this year’s racers are returnees, promising another exciting event, with eyes on the event to see who finishes the 2025 Great Alabama 650.Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) will hold the Great Alabama 650 kick-off in Northeast Alabama at Weiss Lake Boat Launch between Centre and Cedar Bluff on Oct. 4 at 10 am.

Spectators can follow virtually at AL650.com, where a live map reports to-the-minute updates on the racer’s progress. ASRT Race Staff will also share live race information through Facebook and Instagram posts, available on the official race accounts (@GreatAlabama650) or by searching #AL650.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) maintains and promotes the core National Water Trail, along with a network of over 6,500 miles of paddling trails throughout the state.

The organization’s 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.

As a nonprofit, ASRT operates through collaborations with local partners, organizations, and outfitters, serving as the state’s paddling resource for all skill levels.

The Great Alabama 650, ASRT’s signature race, highlights the full scope of these waterways, promoting appreciation and recognition of the state’s exceptional water recreation opportunities. Learn more by visiting ASRT.me.