COEUR d'ALENE - The volunteers and patrons of the 2013 Ironman Coeur d'Alene knew that the athletes needed more cowbell.

One man shook his pelvis while dressed as Elvis Presley, complete in the white jumpsuit and '70s Elvis wig, as he volunteered at the 8th Street and Sherman Avenue "run special needs" station.

"We always like to do something crazy, because the runners are halfway through the marathon here. They want to get a laugh," said Coeur d'Alene Rotary Club member and station captain Steve Roberge, of Dalton Gardens. "It gives them a smile."

Roberge and his wife, Denise, arrived at 3:45 a.m. to help set up the volunteer station and prepare for the day. He received many a high-five from passersby who enjoyed seeing "Elvis," and one commented that "those chest hairs never lie." The Roberges have volunteered for all 11 Ironman Coeur d'Alene events.

Thousands lined the downtown streets all day Sunday to cheer for participants. Cowbells, horns and whistles created a musical cacophony that could be heard throughout the race route. People wore vibrant colors and held encouraging signs to show their support for their favorite Ironmen and women. Some donned costumes to boost morale and generate a fun environment.

Vicki Schultze of Coeur d'Alene and her daughters Phoebe, 10, and Grace, 14, also worked in the "run special needs" section through the Rotary Club. They handed runners bags filled with personal items. It was Vicki and Grace's sixth year volunteering and Phoebe's second.

"It's just so exciting for Coeur d'Alene to have this," Schultze said. "It's fun to be a part of something like this."

A volunteer in a blonde punk-rock wig rang a bell and helped direct runners along the circuit at 9th Street. Alaina Zurfluh of Liberty Lake said she has volunteered most years, peeling wetsuits in the morning and continuing with another task later in the day.

"We usually pick something new to do every year. This is our new something," she said. Her friend Kaylee Samuelson, of Liberty Lake, also assisted runners.

"I love the positive atmosphere," she said. "It's very encouraging. A lot of great people."

Julie Rotelli and Eileen Wrubel of Pittsburgh, and their inflatable alpaca "Al," sat along Sherman Avenue to root for their husbands. The alpaca served as a mascot for their husbands' "Team Alpaca" as well as something to make them visible to their significant others while they completed the triathlon. Their husbands competed in the Boston Marathon, and it was the first Ironman for Rotelli's husband. The ladies said they'd never been to Coeur d'Alene, and said they think it's "fabulous."

"We're used to standing out next to a lake all day or in a field with a Porta-Potty," said Wrubel, referring to watching their husbands compete in other locations. "With the town coming out and everything, it's really nice." Rotelli said she really enjoyed all the independent stores in the downtown area.

More than 3,000 volunteers assisted with the Ironman event, and countless more appeared to show their support on a colorful, loud and spirited day in downtown Coeur d'Alene