COEUR d’ALENE — Shaun Endsley, a Hayden resident, has completed more than 70 Ironman 70.3 races.

He finished Sunday’s race in 4 hours, 51 minutes and 55 seconds, at a pace that made him the first local man to reach the red carpet and cross the finish line on Sherman Avenue.

“It felt great,” Endsley said. “Just went out there and rocked it.”

Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 race was Endsley’s third of the year, and he was already looking ahead to the three more races he and his wife have planned this year.

Even as Endsley basked in his accomplishment, he couldn’t help but sing his wife Suzanne’s praises as well.

“She’s usually in the top here for her age group,” Endsley said.

True to form, Suzanne was the first local woman to cross the finish line at 5 hours, 35 minutes and 55 seconds.

“That’s good for 59 years old,” Suzanne said with a laugh.

Sunday’s race was a bit chillier than previous years, with the high temperature for the day topping out in the mid-60s, but that was no big deal for Suzanne.

“Just an extra layer (riding) the bike and you’re fine,” Suzanne said.

The couple were among around 1,100 athletes who competed in this year’s Ironman 70.3, with many coming into Coeur d’Alene from other parts of the country or from as far away as Taiwan.

The course included a 1.2-mile swim in Lake Coeur d’Alene, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run — a staggering total of 70.3 miles, for those counting.

Though becoming an Ironman is no easy feat, the athletes weren’t going at it alone.

Family, friends and volunteers lined the course and welcomed each athlete across the finish line with cheers, high fives and cowbells.

“I love this community,” Suzanne said. “The support is great and this is a great way to showcase the beauty of this area.”

The top 10 local finishers are: 

Shaun Endsley, Hayden 4:51:55

Kaleb Stinson, Coeur d'Alene 5:33:03

Suzanne Endsley, Hayden 5:35:05

Jacob Nadon, Coeur d'Alene 5:39:28

Scott Langhans, Post Falls 5:41:30

John McKeeman, Coeur d'Alene 5:53:47

Darrin Hibbs, Post Falls 5:54:21

Daisy Hoffman, Post Falls 5:59:22

Robert Scoggins, Coeur d'Alene 5:59:30

Owen Hughes, Coeur d'Alene 6:01:47

    Shaun Endsley of Hayden was the first local athlete to cross the finish line at Ironman 70.3 on Sunday, with a time of 4 hours, 51 minutes and 55 seconds.
  

Suzanne Endsley of Hayden was the top local female to finish Sunday's Ironman 70.3 race at 5 hours, 35 minutes and 55 seconds.