'Save Ironman' rally planned for Saturday

| June 23, 2017 1:00 AM

A group is using social media to organize an effort to try to keep the full Ironman in Coeur d’Alene, and it is planning to hold a rally at noon Saturday at Independence Point.

“Together with the community of athletes, businesses, adults, kids... let’s figure out a way to pitch in, assist and keep Ironman Coeur d’Alene,” says the rally announcement on the “Save IMCDA 140.6” Facebook page.

The Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commmerce announced earlier this month that the new contract for 2018 between the chamber and World Triathlon Corp., the owner of the Ironman brand, does not include the 140.6-mile triathlon that has been held in Coeur d’Alene each year since 2003. The 70.3-mile half-Ironman, scheduled to take place again Sunday, will continue in the Lake City for the next three years.

The full Ironman was held in June in Coeur d’Alene until 2015. The longer race was moved to August last year. It will take place one last time in Coeur d’Alene on Aug. 27.