The world’s longest paddle race will cut across Alabama this fall, drawing elite endurance athletes from across North America and Europe.

The 7th annual Great Alabama 650 launches Oct. 4 from Weiss Lake in northeast Alabama, sending 28 paddlers in 20 boats on a nonstop, 650-mile test of grit and stamina. Competitors will have 10 days to battle whitewater, tidewater currents and nine dam portages before reaching the finish line in Mobile Bay.

The event, hosted by the Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT), showcases the core section of the Alabama Scenic River Trail National Water Trail, which winds from the Appalachian foothills through the state’s heartland and into the Gulf. Along the way, spectators can cheer athletes from riverbanks in Gadsden, Pell City, Wetumpka, Montgomery, Selma, Fairhope and other communities. Although Baldwin County is not represented among this year’s field, the race will again finish at Fort Morgan, highlighting our area of the state.

Racers can choose kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards and may switch vessels during the competition. Awards will be given in three divisions: male solo, female solo and two-person team.

Spectators who can’t make it to the riverbanks can track racers in real time at www.AL650.com, where a live map provides up-to-the-minute progress. Updates will also be shared on social media at @GreatAlabama650 or by searching #AL650 on Facebook and Instagram.

ASRT, a nonprofit, manages more than 6,500 miles of paddling trails across the state, from mountain streams and whitewater rapids in the north to river deltas in the south. The organization works with local communities and outfitters to promote recreation, economic growth and stewardship of Alabama’s waterways. The Great Alabama 650 serves as its signature race, designed to spotlight the diversity and challenge of the state’s rivers.

More details about the race and ASRT’s work can be found at www.ASRT.me.