The toughness of the swim and bike course in CDA are matched by the kindness and friendliness of the town’s people. A couple of days before

the race, the water temp was mid-t0-low 50s — the lake is fed by the snow of the Bitterroot Mountains and it had just begun to “thaw” a couple

of weeks before race day. On race day, the water was 59 — in a word “COLD”. The bike course is very pretty and just as hilly. The run is “payback” in that it’s mostly along the edge of the lake and very flat.  Coeur d’ Alene has a population of about 34,000 and on race day there were 3,ooo volunteers! Before, during, and after the race, the town was very athlete-friendly which was obvious to everyone visiting. I highly recommend the race — the organization, venue, and volunteers made every minute of the race just a little more tolerable AND much appreciated. Try it, you’ll

like it!