Elmore County – The Elmore County Economic Development Authority (ECEDA) will once again host the Great Alabama 650, the world’s longest annual paddle race on the nation’s longest National Water Trail, set to kick off on September 21, 2024. The State Ramp at Lake Jordan and Coosa River Adventures in Wetumpka will serve as the first mandatory checkpoint for the race.

Twenty paddlers, including 18 individual competitors and two tandem teams, will embark on an extraordinary 650-mile nonstop journey from Weiss Lake in Northeast Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico. The race passes through several cities, including Centre, Cedar Bluff, Gadsden, Rainbow City, and Pell City, before reaching Lake Jordan on the Coosa River in Elmore County.

At the Lake Jordan checkpoint, participants will receive hand-painted paddles as a memento of their journey through the beautiful landscapes of Elmore County. These one-of-a-kind paddles, crafted by Wetumpka High School art students, are presented annually as keepsake trophies to
honor the racers’ achievements.

Lisa Van Wagner, Executive Director of ECEDA said “Elmore County is honored to welcome these world-class athletes again this year. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to share the beauty of Lake Jordan and the Coosa River with the rest of the world! We’re looking forward to greeting the racers at Lake Jordan, at all hours of the day and night, and presenting them with their trophies.”

The Great Alabama 650 is renowned for pushing competitors to their limits, offering breathtaking views of Alabama’s waterways while testing both physical and mental stamina. With paddlers from around the world competing, this race showcases the beauty and challenge of
Alabama’s longest National Water Trail.

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For more information contact Lisa Van Wagner at lisa.vanwagner@elmoreeda.com or (334) 312-6886.