Huckleberries: Chamber working behind scenes to drop 1 of 2 Ironman races

Huckleberries Thursday:

There’s a move afoot by the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce to drop one of the city’s two Ironman Coeur d’Alene races after this summer.

The behind-the-scene maneuvers came to light at the Coeur d’Alene City Council meeting Tuesday during the public comment period. Riverstone developer John Stone asked the council point blank about a rumor that Coeur d’Alene was canceling Ironman.

Stone is a two-time Ironman and fan.

He wanted to know if the city is still committed to Ironman Coeur d’Alene. Mayor Steve Widmyer responded that it was. But pointed out that the chamber is the major sponsoring organization. Huckleberries hears that the chamber is concerned about the declining number of triathletes in the full Ironman Coeur d’Alene and the wishy-washy commitment to the race from the now for-profit Ironman organization.

The chamber, according to Huckleberries’ sources, wants to drop the full Ironman in favor of a half one that is now held on the last Sunday of June. Ironman 70.3 was staged last year for the first time. Both events will be held this summer. Ironman Coeur d’Alene began with much fanfare in summer 2003. The current five-year contract between the chamber and Ironman runs out this year.

Meanwhile, the major Coeur d’Alene players in this exercise are officially mum.

The council will discuss this matter at its June 20 meeting. Stay tuned. Full column here.