CENTRE– Great Alabama 650 competitors are pushing through central Alabama after launching from Weiss Lake in Cherokee County on Saturday. The 650-mile endurance race continues toward Fort Morgan on Mobile Bay.

WAKA 8’s Sunday-night report followed racers through Logan Martin Dam and Lay Lake. The report also said competitors were preparing to continue into Wetumpka and Montgomery on Monday.

The eighth annual race began at 10 a.m. October 3 at the Weiss Lake Boat Ramp. As WEIS reported in its race preview, the course starts locally before following Alabama’s waterways toward the coast.

Monday Morning Tracker Shows Front-Runners

At approximately 7:04 a.m. CDT Monday, the race’s official tracking map showed Trey Reaves and Dustin LeCave furthest along. Their reported route position was 260.4 miles.

However, Bobby Johnson and Matt Taylor were close behind at 258.7 miles. Nathan Fa’avae followed at 247.5 miles.

The tracker also showed Dustin Jackson and John D Chapman III at 232.6 miles. Salli O’Donnell appeared at 230.9 miles, followed by Linda Tetsmann and Anette Baum at 229.3 miles.

Those figures reflect reported tracking positions at the time of the check. However, they do not represent final results or guaranteed real-time locations.

Dams and Checkpoint Deadlines Test Racers

The Alabama Scenic River Trail, which organizes the race, gives competitors up to 10 days to finish. Racers also compete in male solo, female solo, and two-person team divisions.

Along the way, they face lakes, rivers, whitewater, and the open waters of Mobile Bay. They also must move boats around dams.

The official race rules place Logan Martin’s portage at mile 135 and Lay’s at mile 184. Waits there last 45 and 30 minutes, respectively.

After Lay, the route continues through Mitchell and Jordan toward Wetumpka. Racers must then reach Coosa River Adventures at mile 232 by 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 6.

The next cutoff is at Millers Ferry, mile 417, at 10 a.m. Friday, October 9. Later, competitors must reach Sailboat Bay at mile 633 by 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 13.

The required portage waits total four hours and 45 minutes. Because organizers subtract that time from results, the finish deadline extends to 2:45 p.m. October 13.

Support Crews Help Along the Route

Competitors may use kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards. They also may change watercraft during the race, but motor and sail power are prohibited.

Each racer must have a support crew member throughout the event. Crews can then provide supplies and help with camps and boat changes on land.

However, crews cannot accompany racers on the water during the competition. Racers also must keep their tracking devices operating.

Residents can continue following the event through the official race web app. In addition to tracking, it provides portage information, media links, and a race calendar.