Ironman eyes new finish line

COEUR d’ALENE — The city’s public works committee will consider Monday a proposed memorandum of understanding with Ironman organizers for the 2026 race to eliminate conflicts between the triathlon and Car d’Lane, which are scheduled for the same weekend.

The proposed agreement stipulates that the Ironman finish line will be in City Park, not on Sherman Avenue, and that the World Triathlon Corporation will provide barricades for Car d’Lane, in accordance with the event’s traffic control plan. 

In 2022, the City Council approved a three-year contract with the World Triathlon Corporation to keep Ironman in Coeur d’Alene through 2026, on the condition that the WTC agreed to cover the city’s overtime expenses for public safety on the weekend of the race. 

During the last amendment to the contract, the 2026 race was “inadvertently” reserved for June 21, according to city staff, bringing it into conflict with Car d’Lane. 

The classic car event takes place over Father’s Day weekend. This year, it's on June 19 and 20. Meanwhile, the WTC had already taken registration and planned for June 21 for this year’s half Ironman. 

The Downtown Association and the WTC worked together to coordinate both events with “minimal impact,” according to a city staff report. The two entities have agreed to market and notify about the event coordination jointly. 

“WTC has agreed to provide all the barricades for the Car d’Lane event to ensure city barricades do not get mixed in with the WTC barricades,” the report said. 

Ironman organizers agreed to move the finish line to City Park, eliminating the need to set up bleachers on Sherman Avenue, which typically happens on the Saturday of race weekend. 

“This eliminates the conflict between the two events,” the report said. “While staff will incur additional hours during this weekend, it will alleviate an event the following weekend, giving staff a much-needed break from event coverage.” 

In the future, according to the report, “WTC will negotiate separate dates for their event so there aren’t future conflicts with Car d’Lane.” 

Coeur d’Alene hosted its first full Ironman in 2003. A half Ironman includes a 1.2-mile swim in Lake Coeur d’Alene, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run that takes athletes to a finish line in downtown Coeur d’Alene. 

A full Ironman has an estimated economic impact of $16.4 million, while a half Ironman has an estimated economic impact of $12 million.