Many see triathlons as a form of torture.

But others can’t seem to get enough of the grueling sporting event, which incorporates swimming, bicycling and running.

That’s why the Lawrence Sports Corp. and Overland Park-based KLM Marketing Solutions intend to bring a triathlon back to Douglas County.

“Triathlons are one of the top-growing sporting events in the country,” KLM President Bill Marshall said.

Marshall and the sports corporation, a division of the Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau, cleared a major hurdle Monday as Douglas County commissioners approved closing Lone Star Lake’s beach and marina from 8 a.m. July 23 to noon on July 24 for the triathlon — called Midwest Mayhem.

Midwest Mayhem will be similar to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Triathlon, which ended in 2002.

A lack of sponsorship money forced an end to the LMH Triathlon. Six hundred people participated in the LMH Triathlon in its final year, which proves it wasn’t discontinued for lack of interest, said Bob Sanner, executive director of Lawrence Sports Corp.

Past triathlon courses at Lone Star Lake incorporated 0.9 miles of swimming, 24.8 miles of hilly bike-riding and 6.2 miles of running.

“I don’t think any of us will be in it this year,” joked Commissioner Jere McElhaney.