On June 27, 2021, more than 2,000 athletes from around the globe will gather in the rugged Pacific Northwest to compete in the IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene. Known for its breathtaking scenery and intense physical demands, this race is a true test of endurance: 

• 2.4-mile swim in the pristine waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene 

• 112-mile bike course featuring rolling hills and fast descents along Highway 95 

• 26.2-mile marathon run made up of three loops through city streets and along the lakeshore, finishing on a spectator-lined downhill into downtown 

This year’s event will feature two remarkable athletes supported by CAF-Idaho: Paralympian and CAF ambassador Willie Stewart and Idaho athlete Kevin Rhinehart—both proving that determination knows no limits. 

 Kevin Rhinehart: Racing with Purpose 

Kevin’s journey to the IRONMAN starting line is one of perseverance and transformation. Despite completing his first super-sprint triathlon in 2015, five 70.3 races, and even the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Kevin remains humble: 

“I don’t race,” Kevin says. “I train and I participate. I get to train because I can, and I do it for stroke survivors who can’t.” 

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke—a leading cause of long-term disability, responsible for over 140,000 deaths each year. 

Kevin knows these statistics personally. After suffering a stroke in 2012, he faced enormous challenges: 

• Difficulty standing, walking, and balancing 

• Aphasia, making communication a daily struggle 

• Loss of his job and hobbies, leaving him questioning his future 

A turning point came when Kevin volunteered at an IRONMAN run station. Watching athletes push through exhaustion and pain to reach the finish line reignited his hope. With the help of a CAF grant, he received adaptive equipment and coaching that allowed him to return to training and discover a new sense of purpose. 

Now, Kevin runs farther than he ever imagined possible: 

“Just a few days ago, I ran 11 miles,” he says. “It wasn’t easy, but considering there was a time when I couldn’t even walk—that’s a victory. I’m living a rich life now.” 

Though IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene’s steep bike climbs and warm summer conditions will be challenging, Kevin has no plans to stop there. After this race, he aims to complete the IRONMAN 70.3 Washington in September and IRONMAN Arizona in November. 

“Ready or not, here I come,” Kevin says with a smile. 

Willie Stewart: From Tragedy to Triumph 

While Kevin’s journey is inspirational, he won’t be alone representing CAF-Idaho. Willie Stewart, a celebrated Paralympian and CAF ambassador, is also racing in Coeur d’Alene. 

Years ago, Willie lost his left arm in a workplace accident, but rather than letting this setback define his future, he turned to sports as a way to reclaim his life. Over the years, he has: 

• Competed in Paralympic swimming, winning multiple medals 

• Completed countless IRONMAN triathlons around the world 

• Served as a mentor and motivator to adaptive athletes of all ages 

Willie’s resilience embodies the mission of CAF: providing opportunities for people with physical challenges to live active lifestyles. His participation in IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene is yet another reminder that disability does not mean inability. 

Jenny Gray: A Community Inspired 

IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene isn’t just a race—it’s a community event that brings inspiration to thousands of spectators. For Jenny Gray, seeing adaptive athletes compete is personal. 

 In 2017, while 24 weeks pregnant, Jenny faced a life-altering diagnosis: osteosarcoma requiring an above-knee amputation. Two weeks after giving birth, she underwent 7.5 months of chemotherapy. 

“I was a new mom, a new amputee, and in chemo,” Jenny recalls. “I’d been active my whole life, and suddenly, my way of coping with challenges—physical activity—was taken away.” 

Searching for hope, Jenny discovered the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which provided her with an Össur running prosthesis. With this adaptive tool, Jenny regained her ability to run and reclaim a core part of her identity. 

“This prosthesis changed my life. It gave me back not just running, but confidence and purpose,” she says. 

Jenny now runs 5Ks and plans to tackle longer races soon. Seeing Kevin and Willie compete in her community feels monumental: 

“Adaptive athletes are resilient and motivated,” she says. “Having this event here helps people understand what’s possible and builds connections that will last long after race day.” 

The Heart of IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene 

IRONMAN races are legendary for testing human limits. But for adaptive athletes like Kevin and Willie, the journey means more than finishing a race: 

• It’s breaking through barriers—physical, emotional, and societal. 

• It’s about inspiring others facing similar challenges. 

• It’s proof that with support and determination, anything is possible. 

Support the Journey 

Athletes like Kevin, Willie, and Jenny remind us that resilience can rewrite life’s toughest chapters. The Challenged Athletes Foundation ensures that cost never prevents someone with a physical challenge from pursuing sports and achieving their dreams. 

👉 Support CAF-Idaho Athletes Here