KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Water warm enough for CdA Ironman race - just barely
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The water temperature in Lake Coeur d'Alene rose to a chilly 57 degrees on Monday (Photo: SWX)COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - Cool, wet weather is threatening to force organizers of the yearly Ironman triathlon in Coeur d'Alene to make some drastic changes.
The race, scheduled for Sunday, includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. It's the swimming part that has race managers concerned. On Monday, the water temperature in Lake Coeur d'Alene was just 55 degrees. Were it to fall to 50 degrees, organizers
| Ironman Coeur d'Aleneo |
| Water temperature in Lake Coeur d'Alene is usually about 67 degrees, according to the race's website. At last check, the water was a mere 57 degrees. |
would have to either shorten the swim or eliminate it for the safety of the participants.
As of Tuesday morning, no official decision had been made about the swimming portion of the race. A spokesman said, however, it appeared the water was warming - slowly. The temperature rose to 57 degrees on Monday, and with warmer weather expected during the rest of the week, they expect the water to be in the range of 59 to 60 degrees by Sunday.
The water has been that cold before for racers. Temperatures between 57 and 60 degrees aren't uncommon, even in other parts of the country. In fact, an Ironman spokesman said a race in St. George, Utah in May included a swim with water at 59 degrees.
