Officials with the Coeur d'Alene Triathlon are pressed to rally do-gooders, as Saturday's event faces a severe shortage of volunteers.

Roughly 60 volunteers are signed up so far, said volunteer coordinator Tawyna O'Keefe on Monday.

The event needs about 200, she said.

"I absolutely do have concerns," O'Keefe said.

The 29th annual triathlon is hurting for bodies to help in all sorts of areas, she said, especially course marshals to monitor competitors as they soldier through the 1.5K swim, the 40K bike ride and the 10K run.

"The biggest thing the volunteers are used for is keeping the athletes safe," O'Keefe said, adding that there are already worries for biker safety because of a recent chip seal on Sunnyside Road. "So it is really a big safety concern for the safety of the racers."

The event is also seriously lacking folks to man kayaks and paddle boards during the swim portion, she said.

Those aboard water crafts are charged with keeping an eye out for folks drowning or just losing control, O'Keefe said.

"If someone is just panicking, they'll go over, and someone can hang on to the kayak and then get on the go again," she said. "It's a very important job. The paddle boarders and kayakers we're really desperate for."

Race Director Scott Ward added that a solid troupe of volunteers ensures the continuing popularity of the race.

The more folks on hand to help with transitions and guiding new athletes, the more appealing the race becomes, he said.

"There are so many new people doing these triathlons, it's very helpful to have a person to help them along," Ward said. "That's what we do, is create a positive atmosphere, and it takes a lot of informed volunteers to help out."

He attributed the local support to the 800 athletes registered for the race as of Monday, a slight increase from last year.

"The venue is top notch," Ward said of the course that traces the northern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene.

It's not surprising that volunteer numbers haven't been overwhelming, O'Keefe said. The usual supporters of athletic competitions are race weary at this point in the season, she said, many having already pitched in at several previous events.

"We ask a lot of our volunteers," O'Keefe said. "Secondly, this is the biggest event for triathletes themselves. It's a local race, everyone wants to do it. So we're short volunteers, because everybody's doing the race."

Some volunteers could start at 5 a.m. and finish by the race start at 7 a.m., she said. Others would start at 7 and wrap up around 10:30 a.m. "Some could be done in time to watch the entire event," O'Keefe added.

Ward said volunteers are also needed to help with registration on Friday. He noted that if some can only stay for an hour, their support will still be welcome.

"I was told a long time ago to make sure you always give back to this sport," said Ward, a long-time triathlete competitor.

Folks interested in volunteering can sign up at the website, www.cdatriathlon.com/volunteer/, or can contact O'Keefe at Tawnyaokeefe@me.com.

Or "just show up," Ward said. "Trust me, you'll get put to work."