The ninth edition of Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene brings an impressive professional field of athletes to the former logging and lumber town in Idaho, including several Ironman and Ironman 70.3 champions.

The men's field features athletes from around the world, including Germany's Maik Twelsiek, Australian Chris McDonald and Canadian Tom Evans.

Leading the women's field are Great Britain's Julie Dibens and Americans Caitlin Snow and Meredith Kessler.

This year, Twelsiek took second place at Ford Ironman St. George and his 2010 season included third-place finishes at Ford Ironman Lake Placid and Ironman Lanzarote Canaries. In 2009, he celebrated a first-place victory at Ford Ironman Lake Placid.

McDonald, known for his strong cycling skills, finished second and third last year at Ironman 70.3 China and Ford Ironman St. George, respectively.

Evans, a four-time Ironman World Champion, is back this year in hopes of reclaiming the title he won at the 2008 Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene.

In 2009, Dibens won the title at the Ironman World Championship 70.3 and in 2010, she earned the title at Rohto Ironman 70.3 Boulder and Ironman 70.3 Boise.

Snow, who had a busy season last year, took second place at Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island and Ford Ironman Lake Placid, as well as third-place at Ironman 70.3 St. Croix. This year, she placed third at Jeep Ironman 70.3 San Juan and won the title at Rohto Ironman 70.3 Florida.

Last year, Kessler celebrated a first-place victory at Subaru Ironman Canada. Her 2010 season also included second-place finishes at Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene and Ford Ironman St. George.

More than 2,500 athletes representing 47 states and 18 countries will participate in this year's event.

Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene offers a total professional prize purse of $25,000 and 65 age group qualifying spots for the 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship, regarded as the world's most challenging endurance event, to be held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on Oct. 8, 2011.