Within only a few steps, the weather changed from sweaty summer heat to windy winter chill, and I knew we were entering the most challenging section of our trail running adventure. It was the third day of our tour through the Albanian Alps, and high atop the Valbona Pass, we were met with a big surprise. The snow was still covering many sections of the trail; it was clear we’d need to revise our plan for how to move forward.

Last Paddler Standing is an ultra-marathon mind game of (potentially) epic proportions. I say potentially because nobody knows just how long the race will be — and that’s the beauty of it.

The Last Paddler format is pretty straightforward: Complete a 3.33 mile (5.34km) loop every hour starting on the hour. You stay in the race until you fail to complete a lap within the 60 minutes or, more likely, simply give up due to physical/mental exhaustion. The faster you paddle, the more rest you get: If you complete a lap before the hour is up (which really isn’t hard) you can take a nice break before the next loop begins. Each lap is a mass start so I presume drafting will be a key strategy.

How many miles do you think you've paddled in your entire life? Is it more or less than 650?

Get this, there is a 650-mile long paddle race across the state of Alabama called the Great Alabama 650.

The race begins in the northeast section of the state and finishes at Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay, AL.

This week, we had Greg Wingo on the podcast to learn more about the race and what it's going to take to finish it.

Learn more by listening at the link.

You don’t think of Alabama as holding many records in the world of endurance races (at least I don’t). However, you’d be wrong! Alabama is home to the Great Alabama 650, a 650-mile paddle race down the Alabama Scenic River Trail going from the northern part of the state out to the Gulf of Mexico. Racers face whitewater, battle tidewater currents, and hike around a dozen dams in an effort to reach the ocean and are expected to finish between 7-10 days.

Today we’re talking with the AL650 race director, Greg Wingo to learn just how challenging a race like this is to plan as well as compete in.

Greg Wingo, Race Director for the Great Alabama 650, discusses the longest paddle race in the country that was completed last week in Alabama.

A quick biking trip on the Richard Martin Trail.

A quick adventure at the southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail.

An article from Bham Now on the 130 mile adventure run in Hungary and our partnership with the Birmingham Sister Cities Commission.

We adopted the Vulcan Trail in Birmingham!

A recent article on Greg Wingo and his trail running adventures.

We recently wrote a piece for North Alabama Tourism on a trail run through the Sipsey Wilderness. Though Alabama isn't normally thought of an adventure travel destination, it is filled with amazing outdoor spots that aren't overrun with people. And your money goes a long way there too.

An article on Greg's longtime partnership with Cahaba Brewing Company

Don't forget these tips when planning your next adventure!