Search
shop

‘I finally feel ready to take on the best’ – McKenna primed for debut at 70.3 Worlds

Aussie has ruled recently Down Under - but can he translate that form to the Northern Hemisphere?
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Steve McKenna says he’s “feeling the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been” and ready to take on the very best as he heads into Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Finland.

The Aussie has been in superb form Down Under in the last 12 months, finishing first or second in all six of his races, including wins at IRONMAN 70.3 Melbourne and IRONMAN Australia but now he’s looking to replicate that form in the Northern Hemisphere.

He spoke to us recently about the challenges of long-haul travel for pro triathletes, especially Aussies and Kiwis, something that could work in reverse when next year’s 70.3 Worlds are held in Taupo, New Zealand.

Happy and relaxed

But McKenna has been in Europe for more than a month now, preparing for Sunday’s race with the support of his wife and young daughter.

He explained: “I’ve had five weeks at altitude in Switzerland. I took my family and was able to involve them in a lot of training.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without my coach Tim Reed introducing me to his friend David and wife Gina who hosted us for the time. Our families got along really well and we had a great time preparing and hanging out.

“Staying close to family was my priority after 2022 race travels and missing the girls too much,” he added.

Steven McKenna at pre-race press conference 703 Worlds 2023 [Photo credit: Ville Kashkivirta / IRONMAN]
McKenna at the pre-race press conference [Photo credit: Ville Kashkivirta / IRONMAN]

‘I have worked crazy hard’

Sunday’s race will be McKenna’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship debut and the 32-year-old is looking forward to testing himself against the best in the world.

“I think we have incredible athletes on the swim and run in Australia so I think I can hold my own at a world-class level after now improving out of sight on the bike this past 12 months,” he said.

“I’m feeling the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been. I have worked crazy hard.

I’m keen to see where I’m at against these top guys and normalising racing them in a large field.

“Once I’ve normalised racing outside of Australia, I know I can compete for podiums anywhere around the world, whether that’s this weekend or in the next six to 12 months. It’s exciting because I finally feel ready to take on the best confidently after eight years in the sport now, having only learnt to swim and bike in 2015.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Dan Lorang Head of Performance BORA - hansgrohe
Touching and heartfelt tribute from Anne Haug’s coach after she announces triathlon retirement
Sam Long - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
‘No No No’ – culture shock and bike crash for American star Sam Long in Italy
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Chicago 2024 photo credit supertri
Georgia Taylor-Brown on enjoying her busy “year off” and wanting “to go out on a bit of a high”
challenge roth race ranger
Challenge Roth publish RaceRanger anti-drafting data from both pro races in a first for triathlon
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
IRONMAN Leeds 2025: Date, start time and how to follow live
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...