Trey Reaves of Florence took six days, one hour and 39 minutes to paddle 650 miles of Alabama waterways, making him the winner of The Great Alabama 650′s 2023 edition.

Racers started on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 30, pushing off from shore in the northeastern section of Weiss Lake northeast of Gadsden. Reaves finished at Fort Morgan at 3:30 p.m. Friday, becoming the first Alabama resident to win the event. One detail that illustrates the challenging nature of the race: Out of 19 entrants (tandem teams or solo paddlers), eight of them had dropped out by Monday.

Video on the event’s Facebook page shows him getting a big hug from wife Alicia Reaves before he even made it out of his kayak at the finish line. Later, on Facebook, he praised her for her supporting work throughout the race, calling her “a certified superstar.” Racers depend heavily on their crews for food, gear and emotional support.

“She followed me 650 miles doing whatever it took to get to me and get me what I needed in extremely remote areas,” he wrote. “If they gave out an MVP award for the last week at the AL 650 I don’t think it could go to anyone else but Alicia. At a minimum half of my win should go to her. My partner in everything I do!! I love you so much and I’m so glad I got to spend the entire experience of the last 10 days with you!! Thank you a ton!!”

The race is presented by the nonprofit organization Alabama Scenic River Trail. The ASRT’s mission is to promote awareness of the state’s waterways as a resource for tourism and recreation and to support improved access for paddlers.

Bobby Johnson, the event winner in 2019 and 2022, finished second with a time of six days, five hours and 50 minutes. Salli O’Donnell, at six days, six hours and 40 minutes, was the top solo female finisher and third overall. O’Donnell has been the top female finisher every year the event has been held, coming in second or third overall each time. She holds the solo female record of four days, 22 hours and 25 minutes, set in 2021.

This was the fifth edition of the race. According to information released by organizers, Johnson and O’Donnell became the first five-time finishers of the grueling event. They received a special “3250 Award,” an alligator sculpture made of Coosa River clay. That wasn’t the only “first” for the event: Late Sunday evening, organizers said that John Knippers had become the first person to finish the race using a stand-up paddleboard.

Teams chasing the top three battled rough and windy conditions on Mobile Bay over the weekend, according to updates posted on the event’s Facebook page. Other finishers:

Fourth overall/first place tandem team: 2 Stroke Racing Team (Matt Taylor/Myles Sumerlin).

Fifth overall/third male solo: German competitor Mirko Prufer.

Sixth overall/second place tandem: Ryan Gillikin and Rod Price.

Seventh overall/fourth place male solo: Chuck Scheidt of Texas.

Eighth overall/fifth place male solo: Brendan Forshee of Missouri.

Ninth overall/sixth place male solo/first-ever paddleboard finisher: John Knippers.

As of noon Monday, two teams remained on the course. Paddleboarder Brad Friesen of Canada was moving along the Fort Morgan peninsula. Kayaker Christian Logan was crossing I-10 at the top of Mobile Bay. Racers had until 2:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon to finish.

Updates, images and videos from throughout the event can be seen at www.facebook.com/GreatAlabama650 and www.instagram.com/greatalabama650.