'The city's heart swelled with support'

COEUR d'ALENE - When Ironman Coeur d'Alene champion Andy Potts took the podium during Monday's awards ceremony, his thoughts weren't about himself.

The Colorado Springs, Colo., man first thanked the other top placers for pushing him during Sunday's triathlon. Then Coeur d'Alene came to mind.

"The city's heart swelled with support for the athletes," said Potts, 37, who finished in 8 hours, 25 minutes, 44 seconds. "This is a fantastic place to race.

"It takes a village, and Coeur d'Alene was our village."

Sunny McKee, 65, San Francisco, was the oldest female finisher and was among those recognized on a picture-perfect Monday morning at City Park.

She said Duane Franks, her coach, says Coeur d'Alene's setting and support put the city at the top of his recommendations for Ironman sites.

McKee wasn't disappointed.

"It's a beautiful venue, and the volunteers were amazing - even at the 11th hour," she said. "The people are the key to the whole race."

McKee said she's interested in tackling Ironman Coeur d'Alene again.

"If the winds don't act up again," she said with a smile. "The winds were relentless."

Sunday's conditions were indeed a recurring theme at the ceremony.

"What a difference a day makes," Ironman's Tom Ziebart said on a calm Monday.

But 92.8 percent of those who entered the race finished. There were 1,953 total finishers.

"Nobody signs up for Ironman because it's easy," said Canadian athlete Heather Wurtele, who defended her Ironman Coeur d'Alene title on the women's side in 9:34.32. "We should be happy that we got our money's worth (with the windy conditions)."

Mike Reilly, the voice of Ironman, said there were 1,024 first-time racers this year. Those athletes and others were supported by about 4,000 volunteers.

In a world where instant gratification is paramount, Potts said, Ironman is an exception.

"You have to put in the work," he said. "You can't just show up with a bag full of hope. Congratulations to every last person who finished."

Dick Nordquest, 67, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., finished his 74th Ironman and 10th in Coeur d'Alene.

"No DNFs (did not finishes)," a straight-faced Nordquest said.

Nordquest, who owns a consulting firm which helps medical and aerospace businesses improve efficiency, travels to races in a motor home with his wife, Holly, two dogs and a cat. He said the Coeur d'Alene race is special.

"It seems like the entire city closes down for us to come," he said.

Visit www.ironman.com/coeurdalene for official race results.