Editor’s Note: From Weiss Lake in the north, to Fort Morgan in the south, competitors traveled 650 miles during the 10-day race. Their journey brought them to our area including Jordan Dam in Wetumpka. See below for more information and the race that made history this year.
Great Alabama 650 Concludes: Domination & Record Finishes on the Alabama Scenic River Trail
Editor’s Note: From Weiss Lake in the north, to Fort Morgan in the south, competitors traveled 650 miles during the 10-day race. Their journey brought them to our area at Jordan Dam in Wetumpka. See below for more information and the race that made history this year.
From the Alabama
Scenic River Trail
FT. MORGAN, ALABAMA — The 2024 Great Alabama 650, a 650-mile paddle race across the waterways of Alabama, concluded on October 1, 2024, at 2:45 PM. Over the past ten days, paddlers from around the world pushed their limits through rain and shine. The Alabama Scenic River Trail congratulates all participants, especially the record-setting finishers in each category, for their achievements.
Notable highlights of this year’s race include:
The 1st ever back-to-back solo winner of the race.
A new 5-time finisher of the race who joined the 3250 club.
The 1st woman to complete the course on exclusively on standup paddleboard.
The 1st person to finish the race twice exclusively on a paddleboard.
The toughness of the race is evident in the fact that only 47% of those who started made it to the Ft. Morgan finish line. This statistic, however, is a testament to the resilience and determination of the participants, who faced the challenge head-on and emerged victorious. Here are the official times and finishing standings of 10 people who finished this year’s Great Alabama 650:
2024 Great Alabama 650 Finishers
Overall Winner & Male Solo 1st Place: Trey Reaves – 7d 03h 20m (first back-to-back solo winner of the race)
Male Solo Category:
2nd Place: David Miller – 8d 00h 25m
3rd Place: Mirko Pruefer – 8d 05h 38m
4th Place: John Knippers – 8d 19h 03m (completed the course exclusively on a paddleboard; first to do the course on a paddleboard last year and the only person to do it twice)
5th Place: Joseph Bolton – 8d 22h 47m
6th Place: Nathaniel Gueltzau – 9d 20h 07m
Female Solo Category:
Female Solo 1st Place Winner: Ryan Gillikin – 8d 18h 37m (first female finisher)
2nd Place: Lindsey Tilton – 9d 19h 35m (first female to complete the course exclusively on a paddleboard)
Tandem Category:
Tandem Team 1st Place Winners: Jessica Nance & Candi Hill – 8d 22h 35m
The Alabama Scenic River Trail, host and facilitator of the race, thanks all volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly to assist in the success of this year’s race. Their efforts made the Great Alabama 650 a memorable experience for all. Race Director Greg Wingo and his company, ROAM Projects, contracted to execute the race, did a marvelous job ensuring the event’s success. Under Greg Wingo’s leadership for the 6th edition of the Great Alabama 650, the state saw record-breaking performances and attracted paddlers from around the globe. The Alabama Scenic River Trail Board and Staff congratulate Roam Projects on the professional, safe and fun atmosphere that the race staff prioritized, especially in the face of planning around the impact of Hurricane Helene.
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our AL650 sponsors. Their commitment to promoting water recreation in Alabama through their donations has been crucial to the Great Alabama 650’s success. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsor and donors for their unwavering support for the 6th year. A full list of sponsors of the event’s 2024 sponsors is available below and on AL650.com. Companies or partners interested in sponsoring next year’s race should contact ASRT at [email protected].
About the Alabama Scenic River Trail
The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) maintains and promotes the National Water Recreation Trail, which stretches 630 miles, along with a network of over 6,500 miles of river trails throughout the state. The organization’s trail network spans from North Alabama mountain streams and whitewater rapids to South Alabama’s river deltas, making it one of the most varied water trail networks in the nation. Through collaborations with local partners, members, organizations, and outfitters, ASRT serves as the state’s premier paddling resource for all skill levels. ASRT works to ensure fun, safe, and welcoming opportunities for people to explore Alabama’s diverse waterways. The Great Alabama 650, ASRT’s signature race, highlights the full scope of these waterways, promoting appreciation and recognition of the state’s exceptional water recreation opportunities. Learn more by visiting ASRT.me.
