Des Moines has been announced as a finalist to host a new Ironman triathlon in 2020, which could rake in millions of dollars for the area.The route -- which features a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run -- would potentially go through downtown Des Moines, West Des Moines and Gray's Lake for the swimming portion. City leaders have been coordinating with area police and fire departments should Ironman choose Des Moines.Ironman officials are expected to decide the host city by mid-June."People instantly got excited," when they heard the news, said Zoom Performance owner Matt Zepeda, who trains athletes for the Ironman triathlon. He's completed eight contests himself.Zepeda said Des Moines has a "historical record of putting on phenomenal marquee events in endurance sports, going back to the Hy-Vee triathlon.""That was a global thing where people came from all across the world," he said, "so we have that experience."The Ironman competition attracts some of the best athletes on the planet."It's huge. This is another huge event for Des Moines," said Greg Edwards, president and CEO of Catch Des Moines.He projects the event would attract nearly 3,000 athletes and generate about $10 million for the Des Moines metropolitan area. "They'll be hitting the local attractions, shopping centers, spending money," Edwards said.Des Moines spokesperson Jen Schulte, who has competed in three Ironman competitions, said, "It's another opportunity to showcase the city of Des Moines and what great amenities we have here."Zepeda said Ironman executives will have a tough time finding a city more hyped to host than Des Moines. Other cities in the running are Fayetteville, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; and Tulsa, Oklahoma."I'm hearing from athletes that haven't raced in five years," Zepeda said. "It's that type of energy: 'You bring this here, I'm coming out of retirement,' so to speak."