Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
How to see the AL650, the nation’s longest paddle race here in Montgomery: paddlers expected Oct. 5-7, 2026
Reading time: 5 minutes
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The Great Alabama 650 (AL650) returns Oct. 3-13, 2026, bringing 32 paddlers from around the world to compete in the country’s longest paddle race.
Lucky for us, Montgomery and the surrounding region have some of the best spots to watch racers on the Coosa and Alabama rivers. This is considered the central portion of the epic endurance race, which covers the core of the 650-mile Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT).
Read on for everything you need to know to follow the race and cheer on the competitors.
The Great Alabama 650 quick guide
What is the Alabama Scenic River Trail?
The ASRT extends from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Northeast Alabama through the heart of the state to Mobile Bay.
The ASRT name also applies to the nonprofit that promotes the trail. As the state’s official paddling resource, the ASRT organization encourages people to recognize, appreciate and enjoy Alabama’s waters.
ASRT collaborates with communities to promote recreation, economic vitality and stewardship of Alabama’s waterways while partnering with outfitters and other groups to promote paddling our trails for people of all skill levels.
From those objectives arose the AL650 paddle race, now known as one of the toughest endurance paddling events in the world.
What is the AL650 paddle race?
In 2025, paddlers Lillian Nelson and Izzy Nicolier finished The Great Alabama 650 in 9 days, 1 hour and 3 minutes. (ASRT) 
For Alabama Scenic River Trail AL650 sponsored only – Matt Taylor and Bobby Johnson show their trophy after winning the overall and tandem categories of the AL650 in 2025 (ASRT) 
Salli O’Donnell was the first solo finisher in the AL650 in 2025, completing the race in 6 days, 17 hours and 53 minutes. (ASRT) 
Paddler Chris Thomas accepts a congratulatory handshake after finishing the 2025 AL650 The Great Alabama 650 paddle race and taking the top prize in the men’s solo category. (ASRT) 
Paddler Jason Hochsprung celebrates completing The Great Alabama 650 at Fort Morgan in 2025.(ASRT) 
AL650 Race Director Greg Wingo congratulates paddler Jason Hochsprung for completing The Great Alabama 650. (ASRT) 
German paddler Mirko Pruefer finished fourth in the male solo category of the AL650 in 2025, completing the course in 7 days, 22 hours and 18 minutes. (ASRT)
SLIDESHOW: Use the arrows to see images of the 2025 AL650 paddle race 📸
In 2019, the ASRT launched the AL650, which kicks off annually in Northeast Alabama at Weiss Lake. It ends at Fort Morgan Public Boat Launch, covering 18 counties and including sections of the Coosa, Alabama, Mobile, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakely rivers.
Competitors in three divisions—solo male, solo female and tandem—have up to 10 days to complete the paddle race and may switch between kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards.
This year, racers from across the U.S., England, Germany, Estonia, Canada and New Zealand will vie for the top prize.
See the course map, rules + more on the AL650 website.
Where can you watch the AL650 in Montgomery + nearby?
Lake Jordan Dam on the Coosa River (ASRT) 
Paddler Jake Van Lue accepts a painted paddle keepsake, custom designed by Wetumpka High School students. (ASRT) 
A tandem team paddles the Coosa River through downtown Wetumpka in 2025 during The Great Alabama 650. (ASRT) 
Fans and paddlers all celebrate arriving at Wetumpka after the six miles of whitewater action through Moccasin Gap. (ASRT) 
Paddlers enjoy easy waters and tree-lined banks near Montgomery.(ASRT) 
Two paddlers on the water shortly after dusk on the Alabama River at Millers Ferry (ASRT)
SLIDESHOW: Use the arrows to see Montgomery area images during the 2025 AL650 paddle race 📸
We are most likely to see racers entering our area as early as Monday, Oct. 5, about two days into the race. To get to Montgomery, they must travel 222 miles and around six dams!
Here are your best bets for seeing the paddle race in person:
- Jordan Lake State Ramp just north of Wetumpka, where racers prepare to navigate the six-mile stretch of whitewater through Moccasin Gap before reaching Wetumpka
- Coosa River Adventures in Wetumpka at Mile 232, which is the first of three time cutoffs, with racers required to reach this location by Tuesday, Oct. 6.
- You may also cheer on racers a half mile down at Wetumpka’s Historic Bibb Graves Bridge.
- Over the next couple of days, paddlers make their way through Montgomery, where you can watch them from Riverfront Park.
- You can also head west to Selma and watch for racers crossing under the Edmund Pettus Bridge as they head to their second time cut-off at Millers Ferry, which they must reach by Friday, Oct. 9.
How to track the AL650 virtually
Once the paddle race begins, visit AL650.com for real-time tracking, including an app!
You can also follow live updates on socials:
Visit the ASRT AL650 website for more information + stay tuned via the official race + ASRT for coverage throughout the event.
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