This post is current as of 2018.
This post was originally written for spectating Ironman Coeur d’Alene, but with the full distance race discontinued, we’ve added spectating tips for you for the 70.3. As of this writing, this race is to continue.
Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene
Events
- The venue for the race is Coeur d’Alene City Park.
- There will be an IRONKIDS Fun Run at 9 am on Saturday at McEuen Park. You can register at City Park before the race.
- The Awards Ceremony and Rolldown will be at 3 pm on Sunday at Coeur d’Alene City Park at the Bandshell Stage.
The Race
Swim
The race starts at 6 am with the pros at Couer d’Alene City Beach with a 6:15 am rolling start for the age groupers.
The swim is one loop and takes place in Lake Coeur d’Alene across from City Park. There are plenty of viewing spots on or along the brick wall or on the beach, but it’s good to get there early if you want a front row spot.
You can either stay here and see them come out at the end and head for the transition area, which is across the street in City Park and wait for them there, or run fast and do both. Just make sure you know where your triathlete’s bike is located in transition, so you aren’t looking around when time is of the essence.
Bike
The bike is one loop. It starts at Northwest Blvd., goes through town a bit, out Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive, and then back into town (about 15 miles) before they head out on Hwy 95. Lakeside Avenue and Northwest Boulevard is a very central location to see them.
Once they head out on Hwy 95, you won’t see them for about 40 miles, before they come back into town along Northwest Blvd. So, you’ll have a good opportunity for a break, whether you choose a shower, power nap, something to eat, or to do a little shopping in town. Just make sure to get back to City Park and transition to see them out for the run.
Run
The run is 2 loops. You will have the opportunity to see your triathlete as they go out on the run and when they come back into town around McEuen Park. So, the park would probably be a good place to position yourself, plus to find shade if need be.
When they come in for the finish, they will come up 4th Street and then hang a left on Sherman, so you can follow them down to the finish line if you like. Dana likes to grab a pita pocket at Pita Pit, a bit before she heads to the finish line for David. They have the best ones and are right down the road from the finisher’s chute. It’s his finish treat.
Finish Line
The finish line is on Sherman Avenue between 2nd and 1st Streets. Once all the congratulations, hugs, and kisses have been completed, they will go off and do their thing for a bit and then you need to meet up at your pre-planned spot.
Tips
- There’s a really big wooden playground for the kiddies or the adult kids in City Park, plus there’s a beach for playing and relaxing by the Resort and swim start.
- You can also get a VIP experience through Ironman, so you have access to special viewing. If you opt for the top package of $220, you get to meet your triathlete at the finish line and put on the medal. There’s also a Kid’s Package for $66.
- Parking is available in lots throughout the town, in McEuen Park, or on city streets, if you’re not staying in town.
- They do not recommend taking a car out on the course.
- You can track your athlete on Ironman live on their site or use their IronmanTracker tracking app, which is really easy and good.
- And, if you want to know what the perfect race day outfit is, just click here.
Ironman Coeur d’Alene
Who’s ready for Ironman Coeur d’Alene? This is such a great race in a gorgeous setting. Hopefully, you have read our Food & Fun Part 1 and Part 2 series, so you know what to do and where to eat while you’re in the area. We’ve given you some great ideas for both activities.
But, now it’s on to why you’re going in the first place – watching your triathlete have a great race. All events are at least two loops, so they offer plenty of viewing opportunities and there’s only one transition area. Oh, and if you have kids, don’t forget to sign them up for the IRONKIDS Fun Run in McEuen Park on Saturday at 9am. You can register online or at the park.
Here are the TriWivesClub’s tips for making the most of your spectating day:
SWIM
Photos courtesy of Ironman XC and the TriWivesClub.
The two-loop swim takes place in Lake Coeur d’Alene across from City Park. In 2013, they started doing rolling starts, which is a much more controlled mass start. Age groupers begin going out at 6:00 am. There are plenty of viewing spots on or along the brick wall or on the beach, but it’s good to get there early if you want a front row spot.
You can watch them go off and then head down to the finish/exit and try to catch them coming out from the first loop, as they have a short run along the beach. You can either stay here and see them come out at the end, head for the transition area, which is across the street in City Park and wait for them there, or run fast and do both. Just make sure you know where your triathlete’s bike is located in transition, so you aren’t looking around when time is of the essence.
BIKE
David and Carl on the bike segment in 2011. Photos courtesy of Ironman XC.
The bike course is two loops, so you have the opportunity to see your triathlete multiple times. It starts at Northwest Blvd., goes through town a bit, out Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive, and then back into town (about 15 miles) before they head out on Hwy 95. Lakeside Avenue and Northwest Boulevard is a very central location to see them.
Once they head out on Hwy 95, you won’t see them for about 40 miles, before they come back into town along Northwest Blvd. and repeat the loop over again. So, you’ll have 2 good opportunities for a break, whether you choose a shower, power nap, something to eat, or to do a little shopping in town. Just make sure to get back to City Park and transition to see them out for the run.
RUN
Carl and David on the run in 2011. Photos courtesy of Ironman XC.
The run is 3 loops. You will have the opportunity to see your triathlete as they go out on the run and when they come back into town around McEuen Park for their loops. So, the park would probably be a good place to position yourself, plus to find shade if need be.
When they come in for the finish, they will come up 4th Street and then hang a left on Sherman, so you can follow them down to the finish line if you like. Dana likes to grab a pita pocket at Pita Pit, a bit before she heads to the finish line for David. They have the best ones and are right down the road from the finisher’s chute. It’s his finish treat.
FINISH LINE
Very happy triathletes and spectators at the finish in 2011. Photos courtesy of Ironman XC.
The finish line is on Sherman Avenue between 2nd and 1st Streets. Once all the congratulations, hugs, and kisses have been completed, they will go off and do their thing for a bit and then you need to meet up at your pre-planned spot. After the showers, make your way back to the finish line and cheer on everyone else. Oh, Dana and David have been known to go back to Pita Pit to buy some pitas and hand them out to volunteers on our way back to the finish line party. Enjoy!
TIPS/INFO
- Be sure to check out the Ironman Spectator’s Guide and the Ironman website for live coverage and any updates to the race.
- Take a copy of the Bike and Run Courses with you from Ironman or access it on your iPad or phone.
- There’s a really big wooden playground for the kiddies or the adult kids in City Park, plus there’s a beach for playing and relaxing by the Resort and swim start.
- The IRONKIDS Run Run takes place on Saturday at 9 am.
- There’s a Friends and Family 5K at 10:30 am on Sunday.
- You can also get a VIP experience through Ironman, so you have access to special viewing and different levels of viewing. If you opt for the top package of $710, you get to meet your triathlete at the finish line and put on the medal, plus go out on a boat for the swim. There’s also a Kid’s Package for $153.
- The Opening Ceremony with live music is on Friday from 6 pm – 7 pm at the Bandshell in City Park and is open to the public. There’s not a banquet at the race. Instead, all athletes will be given a $25 voucher for dinner at local restaurants that is valid from Thursday through Tuesday. The list of participating restaurants will be handed out at registration.
- The post-race celebration is a Celebratory Day Breakfast on Monday in City Park from 8 am – 10 am. Tickets are required for the breakfast for guests. The awards ceremony is at 9:30 am in the Bandshell and the rolldown starts at 11 am.
- Parking is available in lots throughout the town, in McEuen Park, or on city streets, if you’re not staying in town.
- They do not recommend taking a car out on the course.
- You can track your athlete on Ironman live on their site or use their tracking app which has really been working well.
- And, if you want to know what the perfect race day outfit is, just click here.
So, we hope both you and your triathlete have a phenomenal day! Enjoy Coeur d’Alene….
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE SPECTATING TIP FOR IRONMAN COEUR D’ALENE?
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Sherry is one of the TriWivesClub and LifeDoneWell co-founders and contributes to multiple blogs. She is a former co-owner of the California Apparel News and had a career in the healthcare industry. Her passions include traveling, real food, the environment, and animal rescue/welfare. She lives a healthy lifestyle and has been a vegetarian since 1987. She and her husband are parents to two rescue pups and reside in Connecticut.
Great tips! You ladies are wonderful. We are at the airport now flying to CDA!
Hi Shira. I’m sure you’ll have a great time. We will be following. Send us any pictures or updates on the race/race venue, anything, and we’ll be happy to post or tweet. Enjoy!