Great Alabama 650 to Bring Nation’s Longest Paddle Race Through Northeast Alabama
- The Weekly Ledger
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Thirty racers will begin the 650-mile endurance challenge at Weiss Lake on Oct. 3
T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local/Community News | Monday, September 7, 2026
CEDAR BLUFF, Ala. — Communities across Alabama will soon have a front-row view of one of the nation’s most demanding endurance competitions as the Great Alabama 650 returns for its eighth year Oct. 3-13.
Thirty competitors are expected to participate in the 650-mile ultra-endurance paddle race, described by organizers as the longest paddle race in the United States. Racers will have up to 10 days to complete the course, which begins at Weiss Lake and travels through the Coosa and Alabama rivers before entering Mobile Bay and ending at Fort Morgan.
The race will include male solo, female solo and two-person team divisions. Competitors must have completed at least one qualifying race and must have a support crew prepared to assist them throughout the event.
Due to the variety of waterways encountered along the course, participants may use kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddle-boards interchangeably during the competition.
Race Begins at Weiss Lake
Northeast Alabama communities will be among the first to see the racers as they begin their journey Saturday, Oct. 3, from the Weiss Lake Boat Ramp in Cedar Bluff.
Between Oct. 3 and Oct. 5, paddlers are expected to travel through the Weiss Lake areas of Centre and Cedar Bluff before continuing past Leesburg, Gadsden, Rainbow City, Southside, Ohatchee, Ragland, Riverside and Pell City.
As the physical demands of the course begin to separate the field, competitors will continue through the Lay Lake areas of Coosa Pines, Childersburg, Wilsonville and Talladega Springs.
After crossing Jordan Dam, racers will reach the first official checkpoint at Coosa River Adventures in Wetumpka. Competitors must arrive before the checkpoint closes at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Course Continues Across Alabama
Racers who remain in the competition will continue toward Montgomery before traveling downriver to Robert F. Henry Dam and through Selma.
The course then passes through rural areas of the state, including Gees Bend and the area surrounding Camden. Racers will portage around Millers Ferry, where they must arrive before the 10 a.m. cutoff Friday, Oct. 9.
From there, competitors will pass Lower Peach Tree and Claiborne before beginning the final portion of the race through Stockton, Spanish Fort and Fairhope.
The race concludes at the Fort Morgan Public Boat Launch.
Organizers said the Mobile Bay section is often the most challenging and time-consuming portion of the course. Racers must contend with ferry traffic and turbulent bay waters, and completing this final stretch can take as long as two days.
With only four hours and 45 minutes of mandatory downtime required during the entire 10-day race, competitors will face an all-out battle to reach the finish line before the official deadline of 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Where to Watch
The Alabama Scenic River Trail encourages residents and visitors to watch the racers at designated portages and organized viewing locations along the course.
Scheduled spectator opportunities include:
Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. — Race begins at the Weiss Lake Boat Ramp in Cedar Bluff
Saturday, Oct. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. — Watch party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Gadsden, hosted by Greater Gadsden Area Tourism
Oct. 5-7 — Great Alabama 650 Basecamp at the Montgomery Whitewater Center, open 24 hours a day; opening-party details will be announced later
Finish line — Fort Morgan Public Boat Launch
Those unable to attend in person can follow the race at AL650.com, where a live map will provide up-to-the-minute information about each racer’s progress.
Race updates will also be shared on Facebook and Instagram through the official @GreatAlabama650 accounts and under the hashtag #AL650.
About the Alabama Scenic River Trail
The Alabama Scenic River Trail serves as the state’s official paddling resource and works with communities, organizations, members and outfitters to promote outdoor recreation, economic vitality and responsible stewardship of Alabama’s waterways.
The organization provides resources for paddlers of all skill levels to explore more than 6,300 miles of paddling trails throughout the state.
Additional information about the organization is available at AlabamaScenicRiverTrail.com.
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Logan Martin Lake Protection Association is hosting a Watch Party at the Logan Martin Lake Dam on Sunday Oct 4, 1-6pm. Free hamburgers and hot dogs, chops and a bottled water to all attendees while they last. Location: Double Cove Park. Please add to your list. Thank you!
Bud Kitchin bud@kitchinhouse.com