Dr. Maroon, the team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers football team and a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh, has raced in more than 65 triathlons. These include seven Ironman-distance events in Hawaii, New Zealand, Canada and Europe. He says of his age and competitive instincts: "It's never too late to start."
Dr. Maroon completed the Kona Ironman in 15 hours, 40 minutes and 31 seconds—in the top half of his age group. He wasn't always in triathlon-ready shape. He played football at Indiana University but then stopped exercising while in medical school and during his early years as a surgeon.