LUKE McKENZIE - BIOGRAPHY

Luke was born and raised in NSW on the Mid North coastal town of Taree. From an early age he pursued sporting interests with a passion.Starting with Soccer and progressing to Rugby League, Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Little Athletics, Basketball, Running, Swimming and Water Polo.Luke became a State level swimmer at Primary school and then represented NSW in Under 14 Water Polo.

His interest in Triathlon was fired in the early 90's when he was taken to Forster by his parents to help man an aid station at the Australian Ironman.

In 1995, he entered his first Triathlon at Trial Bay, NSW and won. From this point he was "hooked". In 1996 the family moved to Queensland's Gold Coast- a mecca for Triathlon training and racing. Luke was in his element, training and racing, honing new skills and challenging himself against older, seasoned competitors whenever he could. He supplemented Triathlon with Cross Country and Track running and held numerous Queensland school titles and the 16 yrs Queensland Steeplechase record over 2000m.

Luke was selected in the Australian Duathlon team at 16 yrs old to compete in the World Championships at St Wendell, Germany. As the Under 20's youngest competitor he finished 7th. In 1998 he became the youngest competitor in the St.George triathlon series, learning some valuable lessons in the Grand Prix style of racing. Subsequently Luke was selected in  three Australian Junior teams for the World Championships. His best result was at Edmonton in 2001 where he finished third. He suffered the disappointment of a flat tyre at Perth 2000 and finished 9th U23 at Queenstown in 2003.

In 2001 Luke competed in the inaugural Sydney Youth Olympics and won by a considerable margin. This result helped to secure him a place in the Australian Institute of Sport Triathlon squad and provided Luke with valuable support , training and learning experiences through AIS camps in Australia and in France. It was  from here that Luke launched his international triathlon career chalking up some very creditable performances in Europe.

Luke became fascinated by the US triathlon scene through his friendship with Peter Coulson and Michellie Jones and in 2003 set off to pursue the American circuit where athletes specialize in the non-drafting format. Showing a preference for longer distances, he managed three first placings in his first year. In 2004 he returned to the US again, recording two first placings, a second and some minor placings.Through racing half-ironman races Luke experienced the thrill of going head to head with some of the major world players in the longer distance events.This experience coupled with his youthful memories of the Forster Ironman lured him towards Ironman. He began training in earnest for his debut over this distance in the WA Ironman,Bussleton. Luke finished 3rd in his first outing in a brisk time of 8.34, tired, totally spent but wildly elated as he passed down the finish chute.

In 2006 Luke realized his dream of competing in the Ironman World Championships in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Although Luke suffered a stress fracture in his knee after a bike crash in training just a few weeks before the event, he decided to compete anyway. Limping to the finish he achieved a major life goal. Luke continues on his quest to one day win the Hawaii Ironman.

GETTING TO KNOW LUKE

Name: Luke Jarrod McKenzie

D.O.B: 26-July-1981

Place of Birth: Taree NSW Australia

Resides: Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia
San Diego, CA, USA
Bend, OR, USA

Nickname: Ticka, Tik, Macca, Jimmy

Marital Status: Girlfriend – Amanda Balding (www.amandabalding.com)

Year Started Triathlon: 1996

Brothers and/or Sisters? Sister - Jacque

How did you get into triathlon and what did you do prior to becoming a professional triathlete? I started Triathlon through interest. I grew up watching the Foster Ironman each year near my hometown. I just started out doing it for fun and as I got results I started racing professionally in Australia in 1999 as an 18 year old and an International in 2001 at 20 years old.


Strengths: Swim

Weaknesses: Sleeping in

What is the most rewarding aspect of your sport: Seeing all the hours of hard training, pain and personal sacrifice pay off when you have achieved a goal.

Biggest achievement to date?: Not quitting in the 2006 Hawaii Ironman when I had a painful stress fracture in my knee.

What is your Ultimate sporting goal: To win the Hawaiian Ironman

What are your career goals after sport?: Own my own business, travel the world and retire young!

Typical day in Luke’s life -Wake up and go straight to the pantry for a bite to eat, make a coffee, a protein shake and go to the computer to check my overnight email. Go out for my first training session somewhere around 6-7am. Usually a ride between 2 - 5 hours (sometimes longer) Back for a snack or some lunch depending on the time. Swim around 1pm between 1 - 2hrs then home for a snack. Do some errands, write some emails, go to the shops, go grab a coffee, then head out for a run about 5ish.

Advice for young kids competing in triathlon - Just have fun with the sport. Triathlon is a very physically demanding sport so be careful to stay healthy, injury free and never over train. Be patient with results, learn from your experiences and always maintain good sportsmanship.

Sport and lifestyle role model(s): 1. John Maclean (Wheelchair athlete) He is an example that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Watching the footage of him racing the Hawaii Ironman for the first time in 1995 is something every person should experience. He is so mentally tough and never gives in despite the dreadful weather, heat and dark! It will literally bring a tear to your eye! Thanks John for the inspiration!

2. Rick & Dick Hoyt If you ever have a chance to watch the footage of the 1999 Hawaii Ironman you will understand why. I have so much admiration for Dick and his determination to get Rick across that finish line in Kona! I got to talk with Dick Hoyt in Hawaii 2006 after they didn’t make the swim cut off because of the bad tides. They inspire me to dig a little deeper when it gets tough out there!  

3. Laird Hamilton (Surfer) He has devoted his life to riding the worlds biggest and most deadly waves. He is the greatest “waterman” in the world. His waves at Tahiti’s Teahupoo are simply amazing!  

Hobbies / Interest: Surfing, Golf, Tennis, Photography, Traveling, adventuring and exploring the World. 

Favorite Triathlon race(s) Hawaiian Ironman, Escape from Alcatraz, Wildflower 1/2 Ironman, St. Croix 1/2 Ironman & Noosa

Favorite ride(s) – 1. Cape Tribulation, Far North QLD 2. Numinbah Valley loop, Gold Coast 3. Akuna Bay loop, Sydney  4. McKenzie Pass, Bend, USA 5. Col du Galibier, France

Favorite run(s) – Deschutes River Trail, Bend & Mesa Trail, Boulder

Favorite foods: Sushi, Ribs, Seafood, Thai, Gourmet Pizza and Mexican 

Luke's Music: Wolfmother, Ben Harper, Donavan Frankenreiter, Xavier Rudd, Issac Paddon & the Tides, Max Judo, Jack Johnson, G Love, The Killers, Chemical Brothers, The Streets, Jurassic 5

Favorite Movie(s) - ACTION: Top Gun, Fight Club, The Departed & Any Given Sunday
COMEDY: Talledaga Nights, Napoleon Dynamite, Old School, Anchorman & Be Cool
CLASSICS: The Shawshank Redemption, Remember the Titans & Pulp Fiction

Favorite TV Show(s): The Amazing race & The Contender

Most Regrettable Triathlon Experience: 2002 ITU World Cup, Geelong, Australia. Was involved in a crash when another rider clipped my front wheel. Olympic champion and race favorite Simon Whitfield crashed over the top of me and broke both his wrists! A few months later he went on to win the Commonwealth Games Triathlon, so all was good!

Thoughts for the future and life beyond Triathlon: I’d love to stay involved in the sport in some way, mainly through developing the kids and passing on my knowledge and experience to them. Also ensuring they are educated in road cycling safety and are aware of the dangers and rules.

I’d also like to help resurrect some of the “Old School” weekend triathlons that seem to have disappeared over the years and bring back the atmosphere and vibe that only Noosa and a handful of races still have.

I also have an interest in business and would like to become involved in some way in the future. As well I am becoming increasingly interested in Real Estate and its opportunities.