How to see the nation’s longest paddle race here in Alabama, Oct. 3-13, 2026

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Tandem paddlers Lillian Nelson & Izzy Nicolier in the final stretch of The Great Alabama 650 paddle race in 2025
Paddlers Lillian Nelson and Izzy Nicolier finished The Great Alabama 650 in 2025 in 9 days, 1 hour and 3 minutes. (ASRT)

The Great Alabama 650 (AL650) returns from Oct. 3-13, 2026, welcoming 32 paddlers from around the world to compete in the longest paddle race in the United States.

Did you know Alabama is home to the longest National Water Trail in a single state? Those who race the 650-mile Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) know it oh-so-well, testing their wits and endurance around nine dams and through whitewater and tidewater currents.

Read on for everything you need to know to follow along, support the racers and learn more about our wonderful waterways.

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Alabama Scenic River Trail

Lisa Battles
Lisa Battles
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