Full Ironman could return to Coeur d’Alene in 2021

Ironman 70.3 kicks off Sunday in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

But could the full Ironman – the 140.6-mile version of the grueling triathlon – make its way back to the Lake City?

The City of Coeur d’Alene and the North Idaho Sports Commission are in negotiations to bring back the popular event that featured some of the world’s top triathletes competing in a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run.

The NISC and the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce are working on a transition to host the full Ironman on a three-year rotational basis beginning in 2021, according to the City of Coeur d’Alene.

If an agreement were to be made, Coeur d’Alene would rotate back to Ironman 70.3 in 2022 and 2023.

If an agreement can be reached between the NISC and Ironman, the City of Coeur d’Alene said, a proposal will be made to the City of Coeur d’Alene.

No timeline for a proposal was given.

The full Ironman was in Coeur d’Alene for 14 years (2004-17), offering dozens of qualifying spots for the Ironman world championships in Kona, Hawaii.

The full Ironman and Ironman 70.3 took place in Coeur d’Alene in 2016 and 2017 on different dates, creating event fatigue, the Chamber of Commerce said, making it hard to find volunteers.

The Chamber of Commerce announced in June 2017 that it wouldn’t renew its contract with the World Triathlon Corp for the full Ironman.

The event cost the chamber $50,000, according to records.

The chamber did, however, keep its $25,000 contract for Ironman 70.3, the half-Ironman that began in June 2016.

KHQ reporter Adam Mayer contributed to this report.