Athlete Page: Jennifer Kenney

Jennifer Kenney

@Jennifer_kenney

Nickname: JennyO

Home Base: Cary, NC

Jennifer Kenney is a former collegiate swimmer turned professional triathlete in 2018 after podium finishes at 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga TN and Ironman World Championships in Kona in 2017. While her true love is swimming, after taking on a friendly bet with a neighbor to complete an Ironman, she was hooked. Since turning pro, Jennifer has competed in seven 70.3 races with a top 10 finish at Eagleman along with numerous open water swim races. The longest being a 12-mile Swim Around Charleston and 3.5-mile Swim the Loop, with results as first overall female in the midst of 2020. The love for running came with triathlon, leading Jennifer to Boston Marathon qualifications and two finishes with a goal of a sub-3 hour at Boston in 2021.

As if training to compete with the fastest females in the sport was not enough at age 45, Jennifer works full-time as a Speech Language Pathologist in telehealth and hospital rehab, while raising two teenagers (swimmers!) that happen to be her biggest fans.

Highlights

IM 70.3 World Championship Podium

IM Kona World Championship Podium

12 Mile Open Water Swim-Around-Charleston 2nd Female Finisher

BQ in Kona with 1x Boston Marathon Finish, #2 coming this October!

21 Years in my career as a Speech Pathologist

Q & A

  • Favorite way to cross-train: I love a long run with a post-swim, followed by a great end of day hike with my dog and kids
  • If you have an extra day every week, how would you spend it? Puttering around my house, maybe painting a room, fixing something, yardwork or cleaning! Clears my mind.
  • Favorite workout: I love track workouts, 1-1.5 mile repeats, challenging and hard but the reward carries me through the day!
  • Things I can’t live without: Candy, sneakers, a pool, family
  • On a weekend morning, you can find me... Drinking coffee followed by my trainer for a long ride, probably eating candy.

Why Speed Hound?

"Sam & Mike, SH Athletes and Community which lead to great friendships"