The Great Alabama 650 paddle race is making its annual return, as the event is set to begin Saturday, Oct. 3 and last through Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Commonly known as the longest paddle race in the United States, this taxing endeavor spans 650 miles along the core section of the Alabama Scenic River Trail. 

The route begins at Weiss Lake in the northeast corner of the state and concludes in nearby Fort Morgan, with plenty of rushing whitewater, flat lakes and river deltas in between.

The waterways featured in the competition include: Coosa River, Alabama River, Mobile River, Tensaw River, Apalachee River, Blakeley River and Mobile Bay.

From Baldwin County, Fairhope's Joseph Bolton will be representing the area as a participant in this year's edition. Competitors from distant places such as Hawai'i, Michigan, England, Germany and even New Zealand are also taking part.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) holds the race annually, with this being its eight year of existence.

And for individuals who wish to keep track of the race remotely, the Great Alabama 650 Race social media pages provide frequent updates. Those accounts can be found on Instagram (@greatalabama650) and Facebook (@GreatAlabama650).

For more information, individuals can visit this page for race rules, this page for history on the race and this page for past results.