COEUR d’ALENE — The event that introduced North Idaho to a grand-scale, internationally attended triathlon is coming to a close.

Today is the final full Ironman Coeur d'Alene.

"It is so very sad to see the full Ironman race leave the area," said Dexter Yeats, of Hayden Lake. "The community really comes together to support the event and the athletes."

Yeats will be competing in her 10th full Ironman today. At 73, she has the honor of being the oldest athlete in the race.

"I'll be really sad to see the event leave my home town," she said.

For Octavian Rivas, 27, of Coeur d'Alene, the last Ironman will be his first time competing. He is also a bit nostalgic about this event going away.

"It is definitely sad to see such a great race leave," Rivas said. "I feel extremely humbled to be a part of the last full Ironman in Coeur d'Alene."

The 140.6-mile swimming, biking and running event came to Coeur d'Alene in 2003. Last year, a second, 70.3-mile Ironman was introduced and held in June while the full was moved to August.

June was also when Ironman officials and the local race sponsor, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, announced that 2017 would be the full's finale.

“While the location continues to be an amazing destination and a community we have always enjoyed, it is important to us that our relationships with host venues, including the city, spectators and partners are mutually beneficial,” said an unsigned message from Ironman headquarters that was sent to The Press in late June.

“In discussion with the Chamber and partners, we have agreed that the best path forward for all parties is to discontinue the full-distance Ironman Coeur d’Alene event and put all of our focus into making the Ironman 70.3 race in Coeur d’Alene the best it can possibly be for everyone involved."

While this news might have come as a relief for those who work on Sundays, have a distaste for getting stuck in traffic or are just not into the Ironman scene, it is a bummer for those who have made Ironman a tradition.

"I'd rather have it than not. It doesn't bother me," said Clint Marshall of Rathdrum, who enjoyed the spectacle of Ironman Village in Coeur d'Alene City Park on Ironman eve with his wife, Kim. "It seems like it's a big event. A lot of people come to town for it. It's kind of a nice deal."

"Yeah we're kind of sad," said Kim, who volunteered at the bike transition station one of Ironman's first years.

Rivas, who has served as a volunteer the past three years, said he feels the community will work to make the 70.3 Ironman feel "just as important and special as the full has been the last 15 years."

"Some of the things that stuck with me from these races were seeing the faces of the athletes and the crowd before the race," Rivas said. "There was so much excitement and anticipation. What also stood out to me was those crossing the finish line. To see all their hard work and dedication pay off, and to see all the families and friends cheer them to the very end, that's what makes it all worth it in the end."