In 2025 Michael Cleek was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma in his hip. Chondrosarcoma is a bone cancer that develops in cells that produce cartilage.
Michael was an avid runner and given his level of fitness and tumor location he and Dr. Jesse Roberts opted for hemipelvectomy surgery and reconstruction.
Dr. Roberts worked with a surgical implant company that used Cleek’s CT and MRI scans to create a digital 3D model of his pelvis and design a titanium implant that would fit into Cleek’s pelvis as seamlessly as a puzzle piece, replacing the diseased bone. In June 2025 Michael Cleek underwent surgical treatment for chondrosarcoma that resulted in removal and replacement of half his pelvis and one of his hips.
After 10 months of rehab and training, Michael informed Dr. Roberts of his plans to compete in a half Ironman only to find out that Dr. Roberts had coincidentally registered to compete in the same race.
Just last month Dr. Roberts and Michael Cleek both completed the half Ironman race in Couer d'Alene, Idaho, almost exactly a year after Michael's surgery!
The full story of Dr. Roberts' and Michael Cleek's journey from surgery to triathlon can be read at: At Ironman, a doctor and patient team up to face a different sort of challenge.
