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

Ironman draws big crowd, few incidents


Brent Ruby of Missoula checks his finishing times Monday morning during sign-up for next year's Ironman Coeur d'Alene. 
 (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

More spectators, fewer injuries and perfect weather made Ironman Coeur d’Alene the best event in its three-year history, officials said Monday.

“I think any minor kinks we ever had here were ironed out,” said Shane Facteau, vice president of marketing and development for Ironman North America. “We were pretty excited about how the day went.”

More than 30,000 people – a local record – were estimated to have watched the triathlon Sunday that took athletes from the waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene to Liberty Lake during the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run.

The weather cooperated, blessing the 1,761 athletes with temperatures in the mid-70s with a light cloud covering in the afternoon. About 100 of those athletes didn’t complete the course that officially closed at midnight.

Medical director P.Z. Pearce, who has overseen 20 Ironman events, said he had never seen so few injured athletes. About 150 participants visited the acute-care medical tent for dehydration, heat exhaustion and muscle cramps. About the same number of athletes stopped by the “walking wounded” tent that helped athletes care for less-severe conditions such as blisters.

The most significant accident occurred in the morning at Third Street and Lakeside Avenue when a spectator stepped in front of a female competitor during the bicycle portion of the race. Pearce said he thinks the spectator broke her leg and the athlete broke a collarbone, knocking her out of the race.

He said another cyclist wrecked when a dog ran out in front of him on East Riverview Road.

Coeur d’Alene police Officer Bill Tilson was hit by a car while directing traffic downtown and was taken to Kootenai Medical Center, where he was treated for bruises and released, said Sgt. Christie Wood.

“People were just not paying attention,” Wood said, adding that she hopes people are more aware during this weekend’s Fourth of July celebration, which packs downtown Coeur d’Alene with nearly the same amount of people.

About 450 athletes were treated in the medical tent during the inaugural Ironman Coeur d’Alene and about 325 competitors were seen by medical professionals last year, said Pearce, a doctor who practices in Post Falls and Spokane. Both those years saw much hotter weather, which contributed to more cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion.

“The people are just getting in better shape all the time, getting smarter, and also, there were ideal weather conditions,” Pearce said.

Downtown restaurants and coffee shops were packed during the event and busy in the days before, said Terry Cooper of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association.

“It was great weather,” Cooper said. “We were very fortunate (not) to have the rain.”

Athletes milled around town Monday morning in the rain, mostly buying last-minute souvenirs and Ironman Coeur d’Alene competitor clothing. Many athletes registered in City Park for next year’s event or, for those who qualified, the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Coeur d’Alene offered 80 qualifying spots for the October event.

Athlete Luis Tueme of Seattle registered for both events after waking up from 10 hours of sleep. His wife, Gabriela, joked that he almost fell asleep at the restaurant after the race.

“I feel pretty good today,” he said.