Pittsburgh, July 15, 2010 -- Joseph Maroon, MD, Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience and clinical professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, qualified for the famed Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon with a first place finish in his division in the 31st Annual Muncie Endurathon Triathlon held July 10 in Muncie, IN.

Dr. Maroon finished with an overall time of seven hours and 13 minutes in the event that consists of a 1.2-mile lake swim, 56-mile bike ride and 15-mile run. He finished 564th out of 664 total competitors. Race day conditions were extreme, with high humidity and temperatures in the 90s forcing many competitors out of the race.

The Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon, considered the 'World Olympics' for triathlon competitors, consists of a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike race and a 26.2-mile marathon. The event will be Dr. Maroon’s seventh ironman distance triathlon...his fourth on the Big Island. In his most recent appearance in 2008, he finished with a time of 15 hours, 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

To prepare for the October event, Dr. Maroon trains 14-17 hours a week while maintaining a very active neurosurgical practice, seeing patients from around the world.

A world-renown sports medicine and fitness expert, Dr. Maroon was recently inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame. The organization honors those who have made exceptional contributions to physical fitness and sports medicine in the United States