It's official: Full Ironman checking out

COEUR d’ALENE — The Ironman is leaving the Lake City.

When the last runner crosses the downtown Coeur d’Alene finish line this August after swimming, biking and running a combined 140.6 miles, it will be more than a personal milestone. The competitor will also earn the distinction of being the last person to complete the final full Coeur d’Alene Ironman race.

Ironman has been in Coeur d’Alene for 14 years, but the Chamber of Commerce announced its decision this week to no longer play host to the iconic full swim/bike/run race. The half-Ironman, a 70-plus mile race, will remain on the city’s event calendar.

The decision came as part of contract negotiations with World Triathlon Corp., which owns the Ironman brand.

“After thoughtful analysis and consideration, the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce, their supporting partners, and (Ironman) have agreed to amend the current contract for the mutual benefit of all,” Steve Wilson, CEO of the chamber, wrote in a press release.

The Coeur d’Alene City Council will vote Tuesday to amend its agreement with the chamber to account for the modification.

The last time the city revised its Ironman agreement was in 2015 when the Chamber opted through a series of negotiations to add a second race, the half-Ironman that had its inaugural race in June 2016 and will take place again this June 25.

The half-Ironman, a 70.3-mile triathlon, will continue to draw athletes to the Lake City, Wilson said. The shorter race costs the chamber $25,000 annually, compared to $50,000 for the full Ironman race, according to a cost analysis prepared by the city’s finance department.

“The contract modification shows that the chamber would have to contribute $25,000 for the 70.3 (Ironman) for the last three years in the contract,” according to the report. “Currently the chamber supports the Ironman annually with over $50,000.”

The chamber raises money for the event through a hotel rebate program, business contributions, the visitors bureau and from state Department of Commerce funding.

Before splitting into two races, the hallmark summer event that drew around 2,000 participants annually was estimated to bring more than $7 million annually to Coeur d’Alene.

Lagging participation over the past several years prompted in part by concerns about the weather for the traditional June event resulted in the latest changes.

The new agreement seeks to lessen the impact on businesses affected by the two-race schedule, and alleviates the need to recruit volunteers necessary for both races.

“The new agreement is aimed at cutting down on event fatigue and will ease the strain on the recruitment and steep number of volunteers needed for multiple events,” Wilson said. “Under the agreement, interruption to businesses in the downtown core will be greatly diminished.”

The chamber board voted unanimously in favor of the latest agreement, with the support of the downtown association, the visitors bureau and The Coeur d’Alene Resort, according to the chamber.