A place to call their own
KEITH COUSINS/[email protected] | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 5 months AGO
<p>Bill McCarrick outfits a bike with rental wheels from Race Day Wheels at Ironman Village on Thursday afternoon. Race Day Wheels rents each set for between $150 and $200 for Ironman events.</p>
<p>Diane Brewer hangs inspirational bibs with messages for the athletes from athletes, supporters and volunteers at the Ironman Foundation inside Ironman village on Thursday afternoon.</p>
<p>Ashton Ukich, 9, goes for a jog on a Trueform treadmill in the Newton Running tent Thursday at the Ironman Village in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - It takes a village.
For the large delegation of Ironman athletes and their families awaiting Sunday's race in Coeur d'Alene, that village has to be filled with the latest in apparel, equipment and plenty of free schwag.
The Ironman Village officially opened Thursday at Coeur d'Alene City Park, and for Tom Aylward, a two-year volunteer and competitor, the opening signifies the start of the competition.
"The feeling you get when you come through here is like 'it's really happening,'" Aylward said. "This is their village, this is their chance to make friends from around the world."
Most importantly, according to Aylward, the village gives the athletes a chance to shake away some of the pre-race jitters.
"There's nothing like an Ironman. You can see the nervousness in these people," Aylward said. "The village is a place where you can relax and calm the nerves."
Nerves didn't seem to be an issue for Dave and Jodi Ruby, a couple from California, both of whom have participated in 15 Ironman races around the world. For the Rubys, who are competing in Coeur d'Alene for the first time, the village was another glimpse at what a "true" village looks like.
"It's definitely one of the prettier venues," Dave said. "The ambiance here, with the lake and surrounding mountains sure beats the concrete jungle. It's just beautiful."
The Ironman Village at Coeur d'Alene City Park is open to the public throughout the weekend.
ARTICLES BY KEITH COUSINS/[email protected]
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