CENTRE – The nation’s longest paddle race will begin its 650-mile journey from Weiss Lake on Oct. 3.

Thirty racers will compete in the eighth edition of the Great Alabama 650. Competitors will have up to 10 days to reach the finish line at Fort Morgan.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism says the event will bring racers, support crews, and spectators to communities across Alabama. The course begins in Cherokee County before following the Coosa and Alabama rivers toward Mobile Bay.

The race also launched from Weiss Lake in 2025.

Race Begins in Cherokee County

The race will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Weiss Lake Boat Ramp. Spectators can gather near the launch to watch the competitors begin their journey.

Paddlers should remain visible around Centre, Cedar Bluff, and Leesburg during the opening portion of the race. They will then travel through Gadsden, Rainbow City, Southside, Ohatchee, Ragland, Riverside, and Pell City.

Greater Gadsden Tourism will host a watch party from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Gadsden.

As the course takes its toll, racers will likely become more spread out. The route continues through the Lay Lake area near Coosa Pines, Childersburg, Wilsonville, and Talladega Springs.

Racers Face Demanding 650-Mile Course

Competitors will race in male solo, female solo, or two-person team divisions. Each participant must have completed at least one qualifying race and have a support crew.

Racers may switch among kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards during the event. That flexibility helps them navigate Alabama’s changing waterways and conditions.

The first checkpoint will be at Coosa River Adventures in Wetumpka. Racers must reach that location by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The Alabama 650 Basecamp at the Montgomery Whitewater Center will operate around the clock from Oct. 5 through Oct. 7.

From Montgomery, racers will continue past Robert F. Henry Dam and through Selma. They will then travel through Gees Bend and the Camden area before portaging around Millers Ferry.

Competitors must reach Millers Ferry by 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The remaining racers will then pass Lower Peach Tree and continue toward Claiborne.

Final Leg Ends at Fort Morgan

The closing section will take racers through Stockton, Spanish Fort, and Fairhope before they enter Mobile Bay. The finish line will be at the Fort Morgan Public Boat Launch.

That final stretch can take as long as two days. Competitors must navigate turbulent bay waters and avoid ferry traffic while approaching Fort Morgan.

Race rules require only four hours and 45 minutes of mandatory downtime during the 10-day event. Racers must cross the finish line by 2:45 p.m. Oct. 13.

Spectators can monitor the race through the live tracking map at AL650.com. Race officials will also provide updates through the Great Alabama 650 Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail organizes the race. The organization promotes recreation, economic development, and stewardship across more than 6,300 miles of Alabama paddling trails.