ONLY ON 8: Alabama-based two-person tandem team leads Great Alabama 650 race
A two-person tandem team from the state of Alabama is currently leading the Great Alabama 650.
The 650-mile journey is a 10 day nonstop race that takes racers along the core section of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, where they face rushing whitewater, flat lakes and big rivers before ending at Fort Morgan in the Mobile Bay.
Action 8 News stopped by one of the portage sites at Lake Jordan this morning.
We spoke with Gary Johnson, who traveled from England, to participate in the race.
“I’m here purely to finish this race and that’s my goal in life” said Johnson. “I don’t fail, so I come and approach it. I’m little bit older now, so my winning days are probably done, but what I do is have a little bit of fun. So, I set out quick at the start and I push the race leaders so they’ll all spread out and then you see what they’re all made of.”
Johnson is currently in 6th overall.
After day 3, Jake VanLue is leading the pack in the male solo category.
In the female solo category, Salli O’Donnell is in first place.
And in the two-person tandem team category, Bobby Johnson and Matt Taylor are currently in the lead. Johnson and Taylor are also leading overall.
Spectators can follow virtually at AL650.com, where a live map will report up-to-the minute updates on the racer’s progress.
In addition, this year’s event features an app where you can follow along using your mobile device.
To download the app, search Endurance HQ in the Apple and Google Play stores. The username for the app is “alabama650@trailrunnerhq.com” and the password is “Alabama650!” The password is case-sensitive.
Action 8 News will have a recap each day on TV and online.
For more information, click here.
