By Bill Plock
Paul Karlsson has had a huge impact on multisport in Colorado for years. Not only was he a founder of what became a very prestigious, national race, The Boulder Peak, he also has produced other races such as the Xterra Indian Peaks and the Lookout Triathlon. He has put on events all over the state including Evergreen and Aspen. Did you know that The Peak awarded Kona spots once upon a time?
But Paul has impacted many lives through teaching Colorado history and now business classes at Arvada West High School. He coached the swim team at Columbine when the tragedy happened and had been signed up to do IRONMAN Lake Placid that year and because of the shooting, IRONMAN switched is entry to Kona to show support. He has coached swimming at various clubs in the Western metro area, including at Mt. Vernon Country Club, the host of the upcoming Lookout Triathlon.
Here is a video interview with Paul after our course preview sitting on the deck of Mount Vernon Country Club. I think the fun of this race is it’s simply different, and it’s cool to feel Paul’s connection and passion to its location.
We rode the bike and run course the other day. The bike course traverses the top part of Lookout Mountain. It leaves the country club to the north with fast decent down Highway 40 and a steep climb up Paradise Road followed by a loop around the Boetcher Mansion and back to Mount Vernon.
The run puts you on dirt roads winding around the Country Club property and is mostly in the shade of the trees as you run past dozens of homes–including Paul’s parents home and his childhood home. Its a fun tour!
Check this triathlon out for a very friendly and low stress pool swim followed by a short but challenging bike and run. A triathlon bike would not be my first choice for this course by the way. It’s pretty much either up, or down.
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