ONLY ON 8: Final day of the Great Alabama 650

It is the final day of the country’s longest paddle race.

The Great Alabama 650 began the day with two paddlers remaining to make it to the finish line in Fort Morgan.

Tennessee native Gayle Taylor completed the 650-mile paddle race around 10:03 a.m.

Gayle Taylor makes her way to the finish line Tuesday./Courtesy: Alabama Scenic River Trail

It took Taylor 9 days, 19 hours and 15 minutes to complete the journey. Taylor finished 2nd in the female solo category and 12th overall.

About an hour and a half later, Deatsville resident Jason Hochsprung became the final paddler to finish the race.

Hochsprung finished 7th in the male solo category and 13th overall after completing the race in 9 days, 20 hours and 55 minutes.

Jason Hochsprung finished the Great Alabama 650 Tuesday./Courtesy: Alabama Scenic River Trail

Once everyone finished the race, Great Alabama 650 officials announced the dates for next year’s competition.

It will take place starting Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Weiss Lake in Northeast Alabama and end on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Fort Morgan. Registration starts November 1, 2025.

For more information on the race and to learn how you can register, click here.

Action 8 News partnered with the Alabama Scenic River Trail to bring you exclusive coverage of the annual event.