COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — The full Ironman triathlon is officially returning to Coeur d'Alene in 2021.
The Ironman organization announced on Thursday that Coeur d'Alene will join a three-year rotation of the full Ironman.
The full Ironman will take place next year in St. George, Utah. The 2022 location has not yet been announced.
The half-Ironman will happen in Coeur d'Alene during off-rotation years, in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
“The Ironman races have been a symbol to our community that through hard work and determination you can accomplish great things,” said Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer.
Coeur d’Alene City Council voted in October to bring the full Ironman race back to the city in 2021, after a four-year hiatus.
In 2017, the council voted to end the city’s contract with Ironman.
In June, leaders with the North Idaho Sports Commission confirmed that the commission, the City of Coeur d'Alene, and Ironman were negotiating the possibility of bringing back the 140.6-mile race.
"I kind of refer to it as a Phoenix, rising from the ashes," said race director Zach Ukich. "We're bringing this thing back, and there's a ton of energy right now."
According to the city council’s report, Ironman would pay $125,000 the first year and the remaining two would cost them $65,000 each. The report said a full Ironman costs the city an estimated $36,275 and the half Ironman costs an estimated $25,930.
The final costs and payments have not yet been announced.
Ironman's last full race in Coeur d'Alene was in 2017 after local leaders and the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), which owns Ironman races, opted to amend their existing contract. The Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce cited "event fatigue" surrounding the event and annual sponsorship fees paid to WTC to host the race. Ironman organizers, meanwhile, noted declining numbers of athletes registering for the race.