On June 27, 2009, Coeur d’Alene hosted the 2009 Ford Ironman Competition, an event wherein athletes have to complete a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26-mile run course. Already the city’s eighth Ironman, the outstanding success of this event is attributed to the overwhelming support of the volunteers and the entire community.
Participants had to brave the cool, mountain-fed waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene to finish the swim course of 2.4 miles. They also had to endure false-flats, descents, climbs and technical turns on the bike course throughout the middle of Coeur d’Alene, as well as the shores of Hayden Lake then back to City Park to start the run course. The last course took the already exhausted athletes around Centennial Trail and some hills for more false flats and gradual ups and downs. The race finished between 1st and 2nd Streets on Sherman Avenue.
A total of 2100 athletes participated in this event, but the winners of the top prizes in the men’s and women’s categories are Francisco Pontano and Tyler Stewart, respectively. Francisco Pontano, who also came out 1st in the 2008 Ford Ironman Lake Placcid was the third person to come out of the water, but took the lead during the early stages of the 2nd round and held his place to emerge the winner of the men’s category clocking 8:32:12. TJ Tollakson, who has had two previous top three finishes capitalized on his superior bike strength to earn 2nd place with the time of 8:42:03 and German Maximilian Longrée who won last year’s Ford Ironman Louisville finished third at 8:50:19 because of his quickness on his feet.
On the other hand, Tyler Stewart won her first title after making new bike and overall course records in the Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene Women’s Category. She had two top 3 finishes on her 1st year competing as a tri-athlete, but has struggled because of health issues recently. Stewart was not part of the top 10 swimmers, but after dominating the bike and run courses, she ended the race with a new overall course record of 9:32:21. Defending Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene Women’s Champion Heather Wurtele finished 3rd with the time of 9:34:24 after Australian Kate Major passed her during the 2nd half of the run course. Kate Major finished the race with the time of 9:32:10.
The 2009 Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene kicked off the 2009 Ford Ironman season and the top tri-athletes from around the world went all the way to Coeur d’Alene to compete for the top prizes totaling $50,000 and 72 qualifying spots for the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship to be held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in October.
On April 15th, people from all around the country will be gathering to protest massive, excessive spending by our government. The location of the North Idaho event will be held at Independence Point (Next to the Resort clock tower, downtown Coeur d’Alene ). This is a non-partisan event, everyone is welcome. People are encouraged to wear patriotic clothing, bring signs, hold flags. Signs should be non-violent, non-racist, or sexist and should reflect a message to the government that we want the excessive spending to stop, and that the people want their voices to be heard.
Save the Date – Saturday, March 14th. Seven gift, fashion and decor stores in the Greater Hayden area are hosting a Girls’ Day Out called Desperate Housewives. Each store has special gifts, fashion and decor that will brighten your home, lift your spirit and make gift-giving fun.
David Hannon and Dane Ueland will be performing at the first stop of Music Walk this friday evening at Calypsos Coffee. Come join Calypsos Coffee, David Hannon and Dane Ueland for a Pop / Rock / Accustic extravaganza!