World’s longest annual paddle race returns to Wetumpka
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Jennifer Fratzke participates in the Great Alabama 650 for the second time. 

 Jake Arthur

Jennifer Fratzke glided to the shore of the Coosa River on Monday, Sept. 20, to take a moment to rest and refuel her body with food after traveling more than 8 miles on standup paddleboard from Jordan Dam to Wetumpka’s Coosa River Adventures.  

She’s one of about 20 of the fiercest paddlers in the world who converged on Alabama this month for a statewide race, the Great Alabama 650, which tests the will of even the most extreme athletes.

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Competitors received warm welcomes from Main Street Wetumpka Executive Director Hailey Greene and Elmore County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Cary Cox.