IRONMAN: Cd'A the true champ

Alexander and Dibens may have taken home the 1st place prize money; but, the real "winners" of the 2011 Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene were those of us fortunate enough to experience the "championship" hospitality of your beautiful city.

EVERYWHERE we went, the experience was beyond our expectations: from the genuinely friendly service people we met, to the AMAZING VOLUNTEERS (especially impressive were the "bike catchers" at the Bike-In Dismount station - WOW!), to the generous spectators who offered their better vantage point to view our "ironman" if theirs was yet to be seen.

We look forward to an equally enjoyable - though, perhaps, less crowded - return trip to your wonderful city.

SHANNON and STEVE ‘IRONMAN' BENSHOOF

Ridgefield, Wash.