Competition to stick around five more years

Like the unwavering resolve of its participants, the annual Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene competition will persist for at least five more years.

The city and Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce extended their contract Wednesday, four days before this year’s triathlon. North America Sports Inc., a Boulder, Colo., company that runs the competition, also agreed to donate $50,000 to the Kroc Center, the community center to be built starting this year in Coeur d’Alene.

“When we first looked at hosting this event, we had no idea what it would bring to the city, not only financially, but physically, spiritually and emotionally,” Coeur d’Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem said.

The event is expected to generate economic impact of $7 million this year and include 2,200 participants and 3,000 volunteers.

“This shows a commitment that we are not going anywhere,” said North America Sports President Graham Fraser.

The Ironman is licensed in four other states and one location in Canada.

The event first came to Coeur d’Alene in June 2003.

“What do we sell at Ironman?” asked Fraser. “We sell dreams, and if you can pass that down to kids who then ride bikes or eat better, we are making a difference.”

The Kroc Center, run by the Salvation Army, will offer programs in education, fitness and the arts.

Coeur d’Alene is the smallest city to have been awarded a Kroc Center, one of 28 facilities funded partly by the Kroc family trust.