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Information about ASRT's efforts on Alabama’s rivers, creeks, and streams.

Press Release: The Great Alabama 650: Race Kickoff Dinner and Race Start

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 4, 2025, 5 PM CST

 The Great Alabama 650: Race Kickoff Dinner and Race Start

WEISS LAKE, ALABAMA — Professional paddlers, Alabama Legislators and AL650 volunteers gathered with the Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) board and staff on the eve of the 2025 7th edition of the Great Alabama 650. 23 racers successfully checked in to compete and paddle 650 miles from Weiss Lake down to Ft. Morgan. At a dinner hosted by Jakes on the Lake and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Legislators, volunteers, crew, staff and racers gathered to celebrate this year’s endurance challenge on Alabama’s waterways. Alabama Representative Ginny Shaver and Senator Andrew Jones presented last year’s winners with proclamations and congratulated past participants on returning to compete another year.

Racing Start: The race started on Oct. 4 at 10 AM on Weiss Lake. All 23 paddlers made a clean start, and crews successfully met the paddlers 9 miles downriver to portage at Weiss Dam. As of Oct. 4 at 5 PM, the current leaders were Trey Reaves and John Wellens with a time of 6 hours and 52 minutes near mile 47. The first cutoff for racers will be at Check Point 1: Coosa River Adventures (Mile 232/650) in Downtown Wetumpka. Racers must be at the first checkpoint by Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 8 PM to continue the race.

Racers will have up to ten days to finish the race and secure a first-place win in one of three divisions: male solo, female solo and two-person tandem 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 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.

Who: 23 Racers, 19 Boats

What: The Great Alabama 650: a 650-Mile Alabama Professional Ultra-Endurance Paddle Race

When: October 4-14, 2025

Where: Alabama Scenic River Trail- Weiss Lake, Coosa River, Alabama River, to Mobile Bay & Fort Morgan

Website: AL650.com

Social Media: @GreatAlabama650 and #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.

The Great Alabama 650: Four days till Racetime (communities on the course, checkpoints & sponsorships)

ALABAMA —The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) is preparing for its 7th edition of the Great Alabama 650. The course will repeat last year’s grueling 650 miles covering whitewater, flat calm water, flowing rivers, tidewater currents and baywater. The 650-mile core section of the National Water Trail extends from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Northeast Alabama down through the heart of Alabama and on to Mobile Bay & the Gulf. Alabama communities can turn their attention to the local waterways to watch racers pass through their area between Oct. 4 and 14. Don’t blink; you might miss the racers passing through at all hours to make it to the coast.

First to see these paddlers between Oct. 4-6 will be the Weiss Lake area of Centre and Cedar Bluff, Leesburg, down through Gadsden, Rainbow City, Southside, Ohatchee, Ragland, Riverside and Pell City. Past this point, the paddlers stretch out as the course takes its toll, passing through the Lay Lake area of Coosa Pines, Childersburg, Wilsonville and Talladega Springs. After crossing Jordan Dam, the racers will hit their first checkpoint in Wetumpka at Coosa River Adventures (Cutoff is Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 8 PM).

The remaining racers will continue to Montgomery, down to Robert F. Henry Dam and then through Selma. More rural areas of the state, like Gees Bend and the area surrounding Camden, will be able to see paddlers portage around Millers Ferry (cutoff for racers Friday, Oct. 10, at 10 AM) before passing by Lower Peach Tree and on to Claiborne.

The final section, which typically takes racers the longest, will be from Stockton and Spanish Fort, down past Fairhope and to the Bay’s opening. The race will end at Ft. Morgan, where arguably the most challenging part of the 650 lies. Between dodging ferries and navigating the baywater’s turbulence, it can take the racers two days just to reach the finish line and earn their hard-won place.

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.

Sponsors of this year’s race include:

  • Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

  • Greater Gadsden Area Tourism

  • Coosa River Adventures Inc.

  • Elmore County Economic Development Authority

  • Main Street Wetumpka

  • City of Wetumpka

  • Montgomery Whitewater Center

  • Alabama Power Foundation

  • Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Office

  • Cahaba Brewing (Beer of the AL650)

  • Alabama Power (Energy Company)

  • Discover Daphne

  • Paddle Dynamics

Who: 25 Racers, 20 Boats

What: The Great Alabama 650: a 650-Mile Alabama Professional Ultra-Endurance Paddle Race

When: October 4-14, 2025

Where: Alabama Scenic River Trail- Weiss Lake, Coosa River, Alabama River, to Mobile Bay & Fort Morgan

Website: AL650.com

Social Media: @GreatAlabama650 and #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.

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