Moment of Strange

Ironman Coeur D Alene. These Idaho communities have embraced this race and there is good evidence that Ironman has been adopted into the identity and culture of the host communities. Ironman banners hang from street-posts and the local businesses. Welcoming signs and daily Ironman related articles pop-up in the local papers days before the race. An increasing number of local volunteers return the following year, shedding the volunteer t-shirt and exchanging it for a race number. And yearly, over 3,000 enthusiastic volunteers from the community proudly cater to the needs of the athletes on race day.

Every year about 2,400 athletes from around the world make their way to the Northwest state of Idaho to test themselves on this demanding course. The two-loop swim takes place in picturesque Lake Coeur d'Alene, starting and finishing on the sandy beaches of City Park. The double-looped bike course works its way through Coeur d'Alene and the neighbouring communities to the north. It is deceivingly challenging and makes participants suffer if they haven't paced themselves on the first loop.