2,200 athletes to race in event

The seventh Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene will begin early Sunday morning, with athletes from most of the 50 states and 30 countries competing for prize money and personal bests.

The journey of the 2,200 athletes, swimming 2.4 miles in Lake Coeur d’Alene, biking 112 miles from the lakeshore to Hayden and back downtown, then running 26.2 miles, mostly along the lake, will draw thousands to the city and surrounding race routes, diverting traffic and closing roads.

Some 2,500 volunteers will help the athletes along the way, staffing aid stations, pulling off wet suits, directing competitors on bike and running courses and manning medical booths.

The event is in its seventh year and the second year of its second five-year contract.

Race officials say the tough economy has resulted in athletes bringing along fewer friends and family members this year, but hotel rooms are filling quickly, according to the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce. The race’s estimated economic impact to the region is about $7 million. Last year’s event resulted in 10,000 room-nights rented in hotels, homes and rentals.

More than 300 athletes from the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas will compete, up from fewer than 100 in 2003.

Top finishers are competing for $50,000 in prize money. Before they even start, many will sign up for next year: Athlete registration for the 2010 event begins Saturday morning.