The 2025 Great Alabama 650 is Coming
Your Hub for the Great Alabama 650 Race
Extreme athletes will test their strength, endurance, and mental fortitude in the longest paddle race in the United States. This epic adventure takes racers along the core section of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, the longest river trail in a single state and the longest National Water Trail. From rushing whitewater to the ambling river delta, the race will challenge even the most experienced paddler. This race is sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience that will not soon be forgotten!
Key Facts
Whether you’re a veteran paddler, a newcomer to the scene, or just an awe-struck spectator, this page is your complete guide to the Alabama 650 Paddle Race. From race rules and registration to past winners and media coverage, you’ll find everything you need to get involved.
Race Rules, Regulations, & Registration
Think you’ve got what it takes to conquer the Great Alabama 650 Paddle Race? We recommend exploring the race rules, portage times, qualifiers, and FAQs before clicking to register using the button below.
Deep Dive into the Great Alabama 650
New to the AL650 fandom or want to volunteer? Learn about the race and its history below!
Q&As of the AL650
Live updates are available throughout the race via ASRT’s Facebook and Instagram pages, where daily leaderboards, route progress, and behind-the-scenes stories are shared. You can also check this page for real-time GPS tracking of racers, weather conditions, and estimated finish times. If you’re local, some portage zones are open to spectators for in-person cheering.
Yes. The Great Alabama 650 awards cash prizes of $2,000 each to winners in the Male Solo, Female Solo, and Two-Person Tandem Team divisions. In addition to the prize money, top finishers receive commemorative awards and are recognized in ASRT’s official results archive and race media. Racers who complete the course five times or more may be inducted into the prestigious “3250 Club” and receive a handcrafted sculpture as a mark of their achievement.
All racers are awarded an exclusive AL650 patch that can only be obtained by finishing the race before the 10-day cut off point.
To register, visit the official ASRT race registration page and complete the online form before the deadline. You’ll need to provide personal details, proof of completion of a qualifying race within the last five years and pay the entry fee. Also ensure you have a person who can be your full-time crew during the entirety of the race. Once registered, racers receive a confirmation packet with race logistics, pre-race check-in details, and gear requirements.
A full list of required and recommended gear can be found in the official Race Rules. All gear is subject to inspection before the race begins.
Racers must use a kayak, canoe, and/or stand-up paddle board (SUP) to complete the race. You are allowed to change your vessel during the race, but it must meet these requirements.
Participants must also bring mandatory gear, which includes a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD), a cell phone with GPS capability and emergency numbers, an emergency first aid kit, a USCG-approved beacon strobe light, up to 10 days of food, and more.
Recommended gear also includes a credit card with a $1,000 limit in case of emergencies, warm jacket, tent, sunglasses, hat, satellite phone, duct tape, and water purifying filters.
What to Expect on the Course
Racers begin their 650-mile journey on the serene waters of Weiss Lake, quickly entering sections of rushing whitewater that test their reflexes and boat control. The route then meanders through narrow river channels lined with towering pines and steep bluffs, offering moments of beauty and solitude between physical tests. As competitors continue southward, they navigate wide rivers, backwaters, and oxbows, each requiring sharp navigational awareness.
The final leg is perhaps the most mentally demanding: the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. This expansive wetland maze is teeming with wildlife and subject to shifting tides and winds. Paddlers must time their final push strategically to reach Fort Morgan at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a course that demands everything—and gives unforgettable memories in return.
Our 2025 AL650 Sponsors
We couldn’t put on this amazing event without the help of our sponsors. Thank you for your support!
Want to be a sponsor for next year’s race? Contact ASRT at development@alabamascenicrivertrail.com or use our Contact form Here.