They made it happen
<p>Kelsi Cruse-Hill, left, receives her winnings after being announced the Ironman Coeur d’Alene volunteer of the year by volunteer director Dani Zibell-Wolfe Monday during an appreciation banquet in the Coeur d’Alene City Park.</p>
<p>Steve Wuerst enjoys a meal and company along with hundreds of Ironman Coeur d’Alene volunteers during the banquet. More than 3,700 volunteers dedicated their personal time to help in various stages of the triathlon this year.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Ironman Coeur d'Alene Race Director Mac Cavasar said he couldn't do anything without the volunteers who dedicate their time to the race each year.
Those 3,700 volunteers were honored Monday night at Coeur d'Alene City Park with a banquet. Cavasar, who announced this would be his last year as race director, was filled with thanks.
"You're the people that make this happen," Cavasar said. "You're the people that make this community what it is."
The thousands of volunteers were all smiles as they made their way through a line for a barbecue meal. A large monitor showed photos of the volunteers during their time on the course and a large banner, signed by the athletes, was in front of the stage.
As the meal wound down, Volunteer Director Dani Zibell-Wolfe took the stage and told the crowd that she had been thinking all day about how she could "possibly say thank you enough."
"I just have to keep saying those words: thank you," Zibell-Wolfe said. "Throughout the week, what I saw was volunteers coming back day after day, hour after hour, to put their best foot forward. I continue to be humbled by your commitment to this race. "
After honoring several of the aid station teams and giving those groups additional funds for the community groups they represent, Zibell-Wolfe gave out two final awards.
The Volunteer of the Year award was given to Kelsi Hill, who - according to Zibell-Wolfe - worked double-shifts in both the registration and medical tents before volunteering at other stations throughout the race.
The honor of Captains of the Year went to the leaders of the gear-bag tables, Eric Faustein and Carly Morse.
"You guys are all worth a million bucks to us," Zibell-Wolfe said.