IRONMAN: Third time still charming

Just wanted to send a letter to the Coeur d'Alene Press to say thank you to your city for another fantastic Ironman event.

This was my third year to travel from Houston, Texas, to participate in Ironman and enjoy your beautiful community. You have a wonderful community because of the incredible scenery and first class citizens! It seems whatever restaurant, store, shop or venue I visit you are made to feel welcome and treated first class. Thank you!

I finished Ironman Coeur d'Alene in 2007, 2010 and had a DNF for 2011. As I told my friends the good news about a DNF for this race is that you are still in Coeur d'Alene! (I am recovering from a C-2 fracture suffered March 17 and chose to stop 56 miles into the bike course because of tightness in my neck and shoulders. Ironman doesn't allow you to defer or refund your entry, so I wanted to give it a shot when my doctor released me.)

To the people of Coeur d'Alene THANK YOU and know that you are what makes this event a cut above the rest.

BILL TOMMANEY

Houston