COEUR d'ALENE - Now for the easy part.

Garbed in outfits blazoning the insignia of the course they just conquered, men and women with God-like physiques descended on the Third Street docks on Monday to collect validation most gruelingly earned.

Long embraces and flashing cameras were prevalent as the top Ironman competitors and age group leaders received awards for their body-straining finishing times on Sunday.

For many, their triangular awards signified a long-awaited goal. For others, it meant a new standard to beat the next go around.

"It's what I hoped to do, but I've come in with lots of hopes before," said Brian Hadley, Coeur d'Alene competitor who landed the fourth best time overall.

He admitted he was still reeling over his dramatic vault up 14 places from his 18th place last year, which he attributed to a rigid training schedule.

"I tried to swim more, though it didn't pay off in my swim time," the 36-year-old said. "Where it really paid off for me is in my biking potential, and not getting tired."

Has he reached his peak after nine Ironmans? Maybe not.

He'll take off a year to master some half Ironmans, he said, and hone his speed. Find a coach and get some third-party perspective on perfecting his training.

"Just finding that last 5, 10 percent," he said. "It will take that to reach my potential."

Fellow Coeur d'Alene competitor Al Mayer was just as elated after collecting the award for the top time in his age division, 55 to 59.

"I hoped to beat 11 hours, and I was hoping to get a spot in Kona," the 56-year-old said of the Hawaii race that competitors must qualify for. "All these things fell into place."

The 10:57:12 finish was a nice boost for the doctor's 10th Ironman, Mayer added.

It was all about squeezing in practice time, he said, and constant support from his wife.

Not to mention a great course, he said.

"The volunteers were awesome," Mayer said.

Julie Dibens, holding the bulky award for the top female finisher, repeated her surprise at setting a course record on her second Ironman.

"I didn't know how hard it was going to be," the British pro athlete admitted with a laugh. "What a unique experience racing in Ironman is. I feel everyone is in it together. Everyone is out having a bad day."

She nailed the swim and bike courses, she added, lauding the smooth roads and the clear day.

But she was forced to a walk a few miles of the last tier when she ran low on fuel.

"I was just getting really dizzy. I knew I had to start taking in calories," Dibens said, shaking her head. "Nobody ever wants to walk, but sometimes you just have to."

Victories came early for some, like 21-year-old Josh Seifarth, who claimed the top time for his 18-24 division.

The 10:05:09 time was a notable feat, for his second Ironman.

"I ran a lot, trained a lot harder," Seifarth said, adding that he started competing in triathlons to fill time during the summer. "Other than that, I just ate a lot during the race."

The Ontario, Canada, resident admitted that the hilly bike course was a stark change from his hometown, but he made up for it on the final tier.

"I knew I was leading on the run. It was just a matter of not walking too much," he said.

This Ironman was a family affair for Washington, D.C., resident Brianna Cash.

Although the 27-year-old claimed the fourth top time for her age group at 10:45:29, she was more energized by the fact that both her parents from Seattle competed, too.

"I was so excited for my mom. I convinced her to do it, and she really go into it," Cash said, adding that it was her mother's first and her father's second Ironman. "They finished within 20 minutes of each other."

The ceremony included a video of exhausted athletes plugging through Sunday's course, and of elated finishers skipping, dancing and flexing across the finish line.

There were also clips of some of the 3,600 volunteers supporting athletes at every turn, whether by ripping off wet suits, splattering on sunscreen or dancing out directions.

"Your volunteers are your heart and soul on race day," said race announcer Mike Reilly as the video started.

Ironmen lined up to take photos with this year's winner and two-time Ironman World champion, Craig Alexander.

Even after his past victories, he said, every race is difficult.

"There are so many great athletes, and everybody is preparing for different races," he said, adding that some are at higher fitness levels in certain seasons.

Although he was recently incapacitated by a viral infection, Alexander added, he thinks the illness was a blessing that allowed much needed rest.

He called the Coeur d'Alene course an ideal test, he said, with the challenging hodgepodge of hills and a "technical section" through town.

"I've enjoyed my time here. Everyone has been very hospitable," Alexander said. "Everyone gets behind the race, and that's what really lifts you up. That's the thing that stands out in your mind."

Reilly announced a 93 percent finishing rate this year.

His voice shot from calling the race on Sunday, Reilly still rasped a congratulations into the microphone.

He roused a roar from the crowd, too, when he leaned over the podium and declared with a grin, "You are ALL Ironmen!"