Press Release: Countdown to the Great Alabama 650: Communities, Checkpoints, and How to Follow the Race
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: September 19, 2024, 10:30AM CST
Countdown to the Great Alabama 650: Communities, Checkpoints, and How to Follow the Race
ALABAMA — The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) is gearing up for the 6th edition of the Great Alabama 650, a race covering 650 miles of diverse waterways. The race, scheduled from September 21 to October 1, will once again challenge paddlers to navigate a grueling course of whitewater, calm lakes, flowing rivers, tidal currents, and bay waters. This 650-mile stretch, part of the National Water Trail, runs from the Appalachian foothills in Northeast Alabama to Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Communities along the route will have the opportunity to witness elite paddlers passing through their local waterways at all hours of the day and night as they push toward the finish line.
Communities on the Course
The first spectators to see the paddlers, between September 21 and September 23, will be those in the Weiss Lake area, including Centre, Cedar Bluff, Leesburg, and nearby cities like Gadsden, Rainbow City, Southside, Ohatchee, Ragland, Riverside, and Pell City. As racers press on, they will pass through the Lay Lake area of Coosa Pines, Childersburg, Wilsonville, and Talladega Springs.
After crossing Jordan Dam, paddlers will hit their first official checkpoint at Coosa River Adventures in Wetumpka, with a cutoff time of 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24. The race then continues south to Montgomery, past Robert F. Henry Dam, and on to Selma. Racers will be visible in rural areas like Gees Bend and Camden before reaching Millers Ferry, where they must portage before the Friday, September 27, 10 a.m. cutoff. The final stages take the paddlers through Lower Peach Tree and Claiborne, before reaching Stockton, Spanish Fort, and down to Fairhope.
The last leg of the race, from Spanish Fort to Fort Morgan, is often the most challenging. Between dodging ferries and navigating the rough waters of Mobile Bay, paddlers face the most grueling part of their journey as they push the last 20 miles to the finish.
Follow the Race
Spectators can follow the action both in-person and online. A live map on AL650.com provides up-to-the-minute updates on paddlers’ progress. Race updates will also be shared via ASRT’s race pages on Facebook and Instagram. Follow the ASRT official race accounts (@GreatAlabama650) and join the conversation using the hashtag #AL650.
Race Details
Who: 20 Racers
What: The 6th Annual Great Alabama 650 – A 650-Mile Professional Paddle Race
When: September 21, 2024 – October 1, 2024
Where: Alabama Scenic River Trail – From Weiss Lake to Mobile Bay and Fort Morgan
Website: AL650.com
Social Media: @GreatAlabama650 and #AL650
Media Contact:
Martha Grace Mize
Development and Outreach Coordinator
Alabama Scenic River Trail, Inc.
[email protected]
