Ironman draws record turnout
Record numbers of athletes and thousands of fans braved the heat in Coeur d’Alene on Sunday as the city’s fourth-annual Ford Ironman triathlon again defined endurance.
More than 2,230 entrants, cheered on by an estimated 20,000 supporters, displayed grit during a grueling day that spilled past midnight and included a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile road run.
“It’s more than I’ve ever seen,” said spokeswoman Helen Manning, describing the crowds that lined the seawall and spilled onto the beach for the early morning start.
Temperatures that topped 90 degrees by midday and hot winds that buffeted cyclists on loops away from the lake added to the challenges faced by athletes and spectators alike, she said.
“It was hot out there,” Manning said.
Despite the discomfort, no serious medical problems were reported and crowds stayed loud and strong from the first splash to the final footfall.
“It makes a huge difference to the athletes to have that support,” she said.
The crowd’s tenacity mirrored the athletes’ commitment to a goal that was months in the making.
Last year, for instance, Dale Paugh was a 357-pound spectator who wished he could accompany co-workers Brandon Winkler and Craig Koenig to the starting line at City Beach.
This year, Paugh, 43, a corrections officer in Sonora, Calif., was 119 pounds lighter as he flashed a broad smile, then strutted in his wet suit to the water’s edge. For him, competing in Ironman was as much about the months of sound nutrition, intense exercise and mental determination as it was about Sunday’s 14- or 15-hour competition.
“I’m a goal-oriented individual,” Paugh said, before waving to Winkler, 27, and Koenig, 39, who returned to Coeur d’Alene to support their co-worker.
The private fortitude of competitors was evident everywhere. “First leukemia, now CdA, next Kona,” read one hand-lettered sign. “Stay strong, Kelly!” read another. “They don’t call it EASY MAN” read T-shirts by another athlete’s crew.
Supporters needed little prompting to describe their loved ones’ dedication.
“This will be the most important mental and physical challenge she ever accomplished in her life,” Bruce Sladick said, minutes after his wife, Karen, 45, joined the impressive mass start in Lake Coeur d’Alene.
“That’s awesome,” said Sladick, a Raleigh, N.C., resident, who brought the couple’s 10-year-old daughter, Sarah, to watch her mom.
Catherine Seeley of Glendale, Ariz., became teary as she pondered the persistence of her husband and daughter, who were both entered in Sunday’s race.
“It really tells what their character is,” said Seeley, who snapped pictures as daughter Christina, 27, pulled on her biking shoes and helmet in the transition area. Across the grass, she saw husband David, 57, run toward his cycle.
“I get weepy about this. You’re just so proud. Every person who crosses that finish line has a story to tell,” Seeley said.
The excitement spread to spectators who weren’t there to cheer a specific athlete.
“Holy cow, look at that girl. She’s so tough,” exclaimed Marian McComb, of Bayview, as a muscled athlete ran by. “I don’t even know who she is, but woo-hoo!”
McComb was so moved by the prospect of Ironman that she joined an estimated 4,000 volunteers who helped keep the athletes hydrated, fed, safe and well-directed.
“It’s our first time,” said McComb, who brought her daughter, Mercedes, 11, and her nephew, Sean McComb, 10, to help. “We’re handing out Gatorade and Gu in the run.”
The real demonstration of persistence was evident at the finish, where tired triathletes high-fived cheering supporters as they ran west on Sherman Avenue. The professional runners drew the most attention, of course. But there was still plenty of appreciation for the thousands of other ordinary athletes who make endurance part of their daily lives.
“The pros are one thing,” said Paul Lamphier, of Helena, who came to cheer his son, physical therapist Tom Lamphier, 41, of Coeur d’Alene. “Tom has to squeeze in his training after he gets done working. That’s the difference.”