COEUR d'ALENE — Ironman Village at Coeur d'Alene City Park was buzzing with activity Saturday as competitors, spectators and volunteers made their final preparations before race day.

More than 20,000 spectators are expected in Coeur d'Alene today to cheer on more than 3,000 people competing in the city's inaugural Ironman 70.3, which is exactly half the distance of the full Ironman triathlon. The excitement at Ironman Village was palpable Saturday as participants and their supporters checked in bicycles, browsed vendor booths, and attended a mandatory pre-race meeting led by Ironman announcer and operations manager Tom Ziebart.

"I want you to remember to do this one thing," Ziebart said to a large crowd of competitors. "Every one of you athletes need to put on a smile and thank a volunteer tomorrow. Have a great race."

Following the meeting, Ziebart fielded questions from racers regarding the logistics of the half Ironman. Dozens of volunteers were also on hand to field questions and direct competitors in the right direction.

Becca White volunteered Saturday and told The Press she has volunteered at two of Coeur d'Alene's Ironman races in the past. The Coeur d'Alene resident said her husband, Robert Ankler, is competing in today's race and she wanted to participate and help any way she could.

"I'm really enjoying talking to people and just being an ambassador for Coeur d'Alene," White said. "Then tomorrow I will be helping to motivate him (Robert) and cheering on everyone else in the race as well — I'll have my cowbell ready."

Nicole Hunter of Post Falls was with her family in the village Saturday, waiting to get her bike tuned up prior to race day. She told The Press that she has been training specifically for the race for five months, and was both excited and nervous for the big day.

"My ultimate goal is to do a full Ironman, so this is a step toward that goal," Hunter said, adding it was awesome to have her family there for support.

"We're going to be loud, especially during the run when she is exhausted," Hunter's husband, Dustin, said. "I'm excited for her. This is a big accomplishment and they train a lot for it."

About two thirds of the race participants are from outside of North Idaho, and local officials estimate the event will have a large economic impact on the area because of it. Linda Smith, who lives in Oregon, came to Coeur d'Alene to cheer on her daughter, Jaci Houser, of Portland, and told The Press they are staying at a hotel in Coeur d'Alene and taking in all the dining and nightlife the city offers.

"I don't know my exact duties as her support yet, but making sure she gets here in the morning and cheering her on are probably at the top of the list," Smith said. "This is our second time in Coeur d'Alene and we just love it."

A variety of traffic closures are in effect today, both before and after the race. Sherman Avenue will be closed from First Street to Second Street today until 7 p.m.

Traffic on Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive from Sherman Avenue to the Higgens Point boat launch will be restricted today from 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. There will be bike traffic in both the northbound and southbound lanes.

Travel on U.S. 95 will be delayed, with the bike course taking up the northbound lanes from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Flaggers will direct traffic at intersections along the course and speed limits will be reduced to 45 mph during race hours. Parking is not allowed on the shoulder of U.S. 95 during the race.

The Ironman 70.3 begins with a 1.2-mile swim in Lake Coeur d’Alene. Athletes then transition to a 56-mile bike ride that first follows the North Idaho Centennial Trail out Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive to the end of the road at Higgens Point. Athletes then turn around and head back to cross town continuing on Northwest Boulevard until they turn south on U.S. 95 traveling to a point not far past Setters Road, where they turn around and return to town. The final leg of the race involves a two-lap, 13.1-mile run that goes through McEuen Park and out to Silver Beach Marina on Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive.

Detailed race maps can be found at www.ironman.com/coeurdalene.