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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Officials say Ironman is on pace

Organizers of the Ironman Coeur d’Alene triathlon just may have added another element to the swimming, biking and running competition this year – smooth sailing.

“We’ve gotten all the kinks worked out, and now we will concentrate on keeping it just as good as it has been,” said Jonathan Coe, Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce general manager.

No major changes have been made for the third Ironman Coeur d’Alene event, which is expected to bring more than 2,000 triathletes and at least 30,000 spectators to Kootenai County on June 26.

But there are a number of tweaks, including more portable toilets along the course, more coffee for volunteers and no pizza for athletes. (The high fat content was causing vomiting.)

The course remains the same for the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike race and 26.2-mile run that will take athletes from the chilly waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene through Post Falls and out to Liberty Lake before returning to downtown Coeur d’Alene for the Sherman Avenue finish.

The biggest concerns, as in years past, are signing up 3,000 volunteers and encouraging people to be patient and mindful of the extensive street closures that cause traffic delays on race day.

“About the only thing that’s always a problem is traffic,” Post Falls Police Chief Cliff Hayes said. “It would help if people would just kind of remain aware of the potential delays.”

Coeur d’Alene recently mailed road closure information to hundreds of residents and businesses along the course, and delay signs are already being posted along those routes to give drivers plenty of advance notice.

Volunteer director Donna Wemple said volunteers are still needed, especially to help with staffing the bike and run courses, crowd control and the medical tents.

She encourages people to sign up immediately. Volunteers get T-shirts, food and an invitation to the volunteer banquet June 28.

“More importantly, you get the feeling you did something for your community,” Wemple said.

At stake for the competitors is $50,000 in prize money and 80 qualifying spots for the 2005 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in October.

When race organizers left town last year, they said the Coeur d’Alene competition was the best organized Ironman event ever put on.

“A lot of credit goes to the volunteers and local government groups,” Coe said.

Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls embrace the event because it gives North Idaho national exposure and brings an estimated $7 million to the local economy.

Coe said the chamber and Coeur d’Alene are already gearing up to ensure Ironman stays in the area.

In 2003, Ironman signed a five-year contract with Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce that guarantees Coeur d’Alene will host the world-class event through June 2007.

“It’s still premature, but anecdotally everyone loves the event,” Coe said about plans to extend the contract.

As in years past, Spokane’s Hoopfest, the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world, is the same weekend as Ironman. Coe said that has never been a problem other than nearly maxing out hotels and motels in the region.

City officials and downtown businesses encourage spectators to watch athletes cross the finish line, which starts happening about eight hours after the 7 a.m. start.

Last year, race officials moved the finish line to Sherman Avenue so Front Street could remain open, giving drivers more access to downtown.

Because Front Street is open, people can park in the Fourth Street parking lot and use the Third Street boat launch.

Coeur d’Alene City Clerk Susan Weathers, the city’s Ironman liaison, said parking isn’t as much of a problem as people think.

“Everyone should get involved,” Weathers said.

“It’s catchy. You can just feel it in the air when you are down there.”

To volunteer or for more information on Ironman Coeur d’Alene, go to www.ironmancda.com.