Ironman CDA: 'A good challenge'

COEUR d’ALENE — On a sunny Friday afternoon, Independence Point is busy with scores of athletes either preparing to go for a swim or returning from one in Lake Coeur d’Alene. 

Some lounge on the grass, chatting with fellow entrants in Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene. Others sit on the steps, pulling on wetsuits and glancing out at the cold water. 

Among them is Gene Peters. 

He sits alone and takes his time as he prepares to take a 30-minute swim, a short tune-up for the big race, a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. 

“Once I get out of water, I’m fine,” Peters said. 

He should know. 

The 79-year-old will be the oldest male competitor in the race. He looks lean and strong.

“I feel that way,” he said. 

Peters got introduced to triathlons in the early 1990s. Since, he has completed 35 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races, three of them the World Championship in Hawaii, and he’s already qualified for this year’s World Championship. 

The Park City, Utah, man has completed nearly 20 Ironman races, full and half, in Coeur d’Alene, including the inaugural one in 2003. 

“It was good,” he said. 

He’s made many good friends in Coeur d’Alene and loves returning. 

Peters isn’t wild about the bike course that takes cyclists south on the rolling hills of U.S. 95.

“I don’t particularly care for it. I think the ones in the prior years were a lot better,” he said. 

No matter. 

He knows how to prepare and most important, how to finish. He generally swims, bikes and runs three times a week and avoids injuries.

“It should be fine,” he said.

But he will be missing his biggest fan. His wife, Kitty, passed away two years ago. They had been married 55 years. Kitty loved to volunteer and visit their friends in Coeur d’Alene.

Peters, who turns 80 on Tuesday, has dedicated this race to her memory. He credits her for his success. 

Without Kitty to watch and cheer, the race will be tougher, but Peters takes pride in always giving his best and honoring his wife.

“My key was I had a very supportive wife,” he said. "She was my best supporter.” 

Mack Babcock of Denver is back in Coeur d’Alene for Ironman, 14 years after his last one here in 2010 

“It was choppy then. This is nice,” he said after finishing a swim in relatively calm waters.

The attorney returned because he said he loves Coeur d'Alene. 

“It’s a cool town," Babcock said. "It’s a beautiful place to come and race.” 

Babcock is used to biking at Colorado’s elevation and on its hilly terrain, so he’s looking forward to the bike course.

"I like bike courses with lots of hills," he said.

How about the run?

“I used to be a pretty good runner," he said, smiling. "But I’m 50 years old now."

Babcock has a spot in the World Championship in Kona through the Legacy Program for those loyal to the sport. 

To be eligible, athletes must have completed a minimum of 12 full-distance Ironman-branded races, have never started the Ironman World Championship, and have completed at least one full-distance Ironman event in each of the last two years.

“So, this is my once,” Babcock said, laughing. "To go again I have to either go faster or just outlive the competition. Once you get old enough you may be the only one in your age group."

Alex Smith of Lake Oswego, Ore., just south of Portland, will be competing in Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene for the first time.  

He’s completed a “boatload” of 70.3s and four full Ironmans, including in Whistler, B.C., Canada, Juneau, Alaska, and in Germany, and was pondering where to go next.

“It’s kind of tourism through racing. I always kind of look for destinations. Where would I like to go race?” he said. 

Coeur d’Alene fit the bill. 

He's been here on business, to visit and just driven through. Ironman Coeur d’Alene has always been on his list because of its beautiful scenery, good weather, wonderful lake and within driving distance of home. 

“It's just a great combination of elements,” he said. 

Smith, a 1986 University of Washington graduate, was athletic in college and enjoyed baseball, basketball and football. After graduating, he was looking to stay sharp and test his talents.

“I wasn't a swimmer, I wasn't a runner, I wasn’t a biker,” he said.

Ironman proved to be exactly what he was after. 

“It just looked like a good challenge,” he said. 

The Army veteran is looking forward to Sunday’s race. 

“I’m ready,” he said.  

    Alex Smith heads out for a swim in Lake Coeur d'Alene on Friday.
  

    Mack Babcock makes his way back to Independence Point after taking a swim in Lake Coeur d'Alene on Friday.
  

    Gene Peters is looking forward to Sunday's Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene.