Can you believe it came down to just six-thousandths of a second? That’s how razor-thin the finish was in the Adidas Atlanta City games 100m sprint with a legal wind of +1.2 m/s. It was a photo finish so close, you’d have to squint to see the difference! Cambrea Sturgis clocked in at 10.98 seconds (0.974 reaction time). Right behind her? McKenzie Long, also 10.98 seconds, but with a 0.980 reaction time. Six-thousandths. That’s all that separated McKenzie from victory.

She didn’t walk away with the win that day, but make no mistake—Long is a powerhouse. Every race she runs proves she’s one of the fastest women on the track today. And with each step, she’s chasing greatness. The NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championship winner always shows her resilience on the track. But behind every great athlete is a support system that nurtures and propels them forward. In McKenzie’s case, her parents have been instrumental in her journey, providing unwavering support and guidance throughout her career.

Who is McKenzie Long’s father?

McKenzie Long’s incredible journey on the track hasn’t just been powered by speed and determination—it’s also been fueled by the quiet, steady support of her father, Michael Long. Though he keeps a low profile, Michael has been a strong and reassuring presence in McKenzie’s life, especially during the most pivotal moments of her career. At the 2024 NCAA Championships, where McKenzie blazed her way to three gold medals, Michael was right there in the stands, beaming with pride.

Watching his daughter run the fastest 200m time in the world this year—21.83 seconds in June 2024, he could hardly believe his eyes. “I have to do a double take. I’m like, that’s my daughter! It absolutely blows my mind,” he said, still in awe of her world-leading performance. But Michael’s support goes far beyond cheering from the bleachers. After McKenzie lost her mother—a devastating moment in her life—he watched her channel that grief into something powerful: resilience.

“She really didn’t have a lot of time to grieve and go through the process,” he shared. “To push through that, I just look forward to seeing her compete with those Olympians, and she very well could be on the team with them. It’s just absolutely phenomenal.” He’s also taken real steps to help her Olympic dreams come true, including sponsoring a GoFundMe campaign to back her aspirations. Quiet yet deeply involved, Michael Long continues to be a steady rock in McKenzie’s fast-paced world, believing in her every step of the way. Mckenzie was so close with her mother as well, who supported her on her journey.

Who was McKenzie’s mother?

McKenzie Long’s mother is Tara Long. McKenzie Long’s 2024 season has been nothing short of phenomenal, but behind the gold medals and record-breaking times lies a deeply emotional journey shaped by love, loss, and resilience. In January, McKenzie’s world turned upside down when her mother, Tara, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep due to a heart attack. She was just 45. The sudden loss hit McKenzie hard, shaking the very foundation of her passion for track and field.

“There was a pivotal moment of my indoor season where I was competing a week after she passed and that was really hard on me,” McKenzie shared. “I began rejecting track. I was mad at my coach, at my trainers, at anybody who told me to compete a week after my mom passed.” That moment came during the Arkansas Invitational—a meet that forced her to confront her grief head-on. It wasn’t just another race; it was a turning point. McKenzie made a powerful decision that day: to honor her mother by carrying her memory through every competition.

“That meet was a game changer,” she said. “That was the meet where I had to make a decision, and I chose to start, including my mom throughout this season. I’m really glad that I did it. I knew that she wouldn’t want me to stop running track.” Fueled by this emotional strength, McKenzie soared through her final collegiate season, ending it on the highest note possible. She won three NCAA titles at the outdoor championships in Eugene, Oregon.

“Everything was a blur because it happened so quickly,” she admitted. “I’m really proud of myself. I’m not surprised because of all the training I’ve had, and my numbers show it in practice.” But it wasn’t just physical preparation that carried her. In her quiet moments before each race, McKenzie found comfort in prayer, imagining her mom watching from above.

“I’m talking to God, too: ‘God, hug my mom really, really tight as she watches me run across this track.’” Long said, as per USA Today, and further added. “I tell my mom, ‘I want to feel you. Ease my mind. Let me go out there as confident as I can be. Allow me to be who McKenzie Long is’.” With every stride, McKenzie Long runs not just for records, but for the woman who inspired her strength.

What is McKenzie Long’s parents’ nationality?

McKenzie Long’s parents, Tara Jones and Michael Long, are American nationals. And Long wears that American nationality with pride.