One of the PNW’s most scenic races turns 40 years old this August By Taylor Shillam
Every year spanning the past four decades, athletes have gathered near Lake Coeur d’Alene to board a cruise boat before jumping in to begin a deep-water swim. This kicks off the annual Coeur d’Alene Triathlon, celebrating its 40th anniversary on August 10.
“The Coeur d’Alene Triathlon has been, and still is, one of the premier races in the Pacific Northwest,” says Teree Taylor, race and sponsorship coordinator. “In its founding years, it was a competitive race for pro and elite athletes like Mark Allen and Dave Scott” — each a six-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion, with Dave Scott the first to ever be inducted into the Ironman Hall of Fame.
Since 2018, the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon has been owned by Rob Liddicot, “a 16-time Ironman triathlete, cyclist and all-around fan of anything outdoors,” Teree says. “He took ownership of the race with the goal of injecting new life and blood into the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon. Being a triathlete, he knows what it's like to participate in a well-run event.”
Teree says since Rob took over the race, participation has been growing every year. In 2023, they had just under 600 athletes.
In 2019, they added the Pacific Northwest’s only Deep-Water Olympic Swim Start. “Olympic athletes board the Cruise Ship Coeur d'Alene and are taken out into the bay off Independence Point for a 1.5k swim back to shore,” Teree says.
The race is a USAT-sanctioned championship race for the state of Idaho. Along with Olympic Triathlon, the event offers a half-Olympic distance Scenic Sprint, and a Duathlon.
The Sprint Distance Triathlon takes off from Coeur d’Alene City Beach one hour after the Olympic race begins, sending participants into a 500-meter swim, 13-mile bike ride and 5k run.
Participants across Coeur d’Alene Triathlon events will take in views of Coeur d’Alene Lake, the Centennial Trail and the Spokane River. Courses conclude at the Triathlon Village finish line in Coeur d’Alene City Park.
Teree has been involved with the race since 2011 and says the event will have some surprises in store for its 40th anniversary. "We will have a 40-year commemorative medal and T-shirt for all finishers," she says, "and are hoping to have some surprise guests at our award ceremony."
Teree says the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon is thankful for the support provided by its sponsors over the years, especially current sponsors, along with community support.
“Our community recognizes the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon as their ‘Hometown Race.’ We could not do the race without our local volunteers, who keep our athletes safe in the water and on our city streets, roadways and trails,” Teree says. “It takes the coordination of community agencies and organizations that assist us in the complicated logistics required to put on a race of this caliber. The City of Coeur d'Alene, Coeur d'Alene Cruises, the Idaho State Parks & Recreation Department, the Eastside Highway District, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Sheriff's Department, the Department of Lands, the Coeur d’Alene Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and EMTs, The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association and the Lake City High School Track Team all play a part.”
For more information on supporting or participating in the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon, visit CdATriathlon.com.
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