Meet Morgan McDonald, a two-time Olympian for Australia (2020, 2024 Track & Field) who has represented his country at the World Athletics Championships in 2017, 2019, and 2023. A four-time NCAA Champion at the University of Wisconsin, he also co-hosts the Coffee Club podcast alongside Olli Hoare and George Beamish. As one of Australia's top athletes over the last decade, McDonald is no stranger to American soil. He won multiple Big Ten and NCAA Championship titles while representing the Wisconsin Badgers, including his memorable 2018 NCAA Cross Country title on his home, snow-packed course in Madison, WI. Morgan has recently partnered with LightSpeed Lift as he aims to stay healthy while training as a professional athlete for On Athletics and Australia.
Hometown - Sydney, Australia
High School - Newington College
College - University of Wisconsin-Madison
Favorite color? Purple
Favorite food? Pizza
Favorite drink? Coffee
Favorite running training shoe? On CloudMonster 3
Favorite running race shoe? On Cloudboom Strike
Favorite place to run? Centennial Park (Sydney)
Best race memory? Winning NCAA XC on my home course in Madison.
Personal best race times? 5km: 13:00
What injuries have you had in the past? Quite a few!! Most recently pretty bad glute tendonitis.
How do you feel about your injuries mentally? I find injuries very challenging, especially in the early stages when there is still a lot of uncertainty. Once I have a plan and I feel like I am working towards something, I feel much better.
What was your recovery plan? My recovery plan was to take time off, do the correct strength work and slowly build back into running using the LightSpeed Lift.
How has LightSpeed Lift been incorporated into your training and recovery plan? It allowed me to start running much earlier in the comeback from injuries and also to supplement my training even when healthy to try and make sure that I don’t get injured again.
What do you love best about the LightSpeed Lift? I love that the LightSpeed Lift is simple to use and feels the most like actual running out of all the “anti gravity” devices (because your hips aren’t locked in).
How long have you been using the LightSpeed Lift? 18 months.
Which LightSpeed Lift system do you use? LSX-500 at OAC Gym in Boulder, CO and LSX-500 / LSP-400 at Boulder Run Physio at Ability Physical Therapy.
"Watching Morgan’s face and body as he experienced the “LightSpeed Lift” for the first time was a delight. Even more inspiring was how he reacted watching Sinta as she ran using the system. He took obvious delight seeing her running with her normal fluid gait while using LightSpeed Lift. I look forward to following his running journey over the next few years." - Malcolm Macaulay, LightSpeed Lift Founder
"With family ties to Wisconsin Track & Cross Country, I have always admired Morgan McDonald. My favorite highlight: Zimmer Cross Country Championship Course, November 17, 2018. As McDonald stormed up the final quarter mile incline to the finish in victorious fashion, his determination, grit and character made Badgers everywhere ecstatic." - Molly Watcke, LightSpeed Lift Sales & Marketing
Photos by Brooks Freehill / last photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin-Madison