A scenic success
DEVIN WEEKS/Press Coeur d’Alene mom of three Michelle Vetsch receives a big hug from proud husband Nathan Vetsch after she completed the Olympic race of the 34th annual Coeur d’Alene Triathlon on Saturday.
Nancy Haler, 69, of Coeur d’Alene, rushes to the finish Saturday in Coeur d’Alene City Park during the 34th annual Coeur d’Alene Triathlon. Haler participated in the Scenic Sprint, which is half the distance of the Olympic distance race. The Scenic Sprint was added to the Coeur d’Alene Tri in 2013. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Cyclists zip down Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive during the 34th annual Coeur d'Alene Triathlon on Saturday morning. Nearly 450 athletes participated in one of the race day events, which included the triathlon, a duathlon and the Scenic Sprint. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
COEUR d’ALENE — Michelle Vetsch pounded the pavement and was swooped up in a big hug seconds after she crossed the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon finish line.
"This is my first Olympic," Vetsch said Saturday morning, still catching her breath.
"And she was under her time by six minutes," said her beaming sister-in-law, Leah Vetsch, as friends and family gathered around. "She just got into it after having three kids. She got into it four months ago and here she is. She bought a bike and she's been doing open-water swims. I'm so proud of her, she's worked really hard."
The 34th annual Coeur d'Alene Triathlon was a triumphant day for many novice and experienced athletes who participated in the Olympic triathlon, the duathlon or the Scenic Sprint.
Nancy Haler of Coeur d'Alene said she felt really good once she had completed the Scenic Sprint, which included a 0.5K swim, 20K bike ride and 5K run.
"I love being in Coeur d'Alene," she said. "I love the mountains and the lake and the bike ride. It's a lot of people I know, friendly atmosphere. People are encouraging, even on the run. They all say, 'Good job! Go get 'em!'"
Nearly 450 athletes participated in one of the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon races. The courses took participants for an early morning swim in Lake Coeur d'Alene, a bike ride out to Mullan Trail Road and Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive and a run on the Centennial Trail along the Spokane River.
After crossing the finish line, participants were given medals and treated to massages, pizza and snow cones and posed for race-day photos on the stage on the band shell in Coeur d'Alene City Park.
"The weather is awesome," said race director Scott Ward. "That was a big issue, with the smoke and hot temperatures. It absolutely turned out perfect today. It was windy and then by the time the swim started it was relatively calm."
He said the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon course is a tough one to beat when compared to others because of the natural scenic beauty. The people who help out and encourage the athletes also contribute to the race's success.
"The town does a nice job hosting it," he said. "It's a good venue."
Coeur d'Alene Triathlon race results can be found at www.nomadzracing.com/results.html.