Coosa River Challenge XXIV 2026

The Coosa River Challenge is a four-to-six-hour adventure race in and around Wetumpka, Alabama, featuring trail running, mountain biking, and paddling on the Coosa River. It is designed so newer racers can try the sport without complex navigation, but the distance, mixed terrain, and river sections still provide experienced teams a challenging day. Racers require a compass, their own bike, and a CPSC-marked helmet for biking and paddling; kayaks, paddles, and PFDs are available for rent, and PFDs can also be provided at no cost. The route incorporates trails at Swayback Bridge and the last whitewater on Alabama’s major river systems, adding difficulty beyond a typical trail-and-road event. Elite teams should anticipate a four-hour finish, with most teams completing the course in about six hours. The finish line is set for Gold Star Park in downtown Wetumpka. The race weekend activities, including a Friday dinner and pre-race meeting, take place at Coosa River Adventures Wetumpka.