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Member Focus of the Month (October 2025) – Warren McKennariey

Celebrating the People Who Make Achilles Adelaide Extraordinary

Meet Our October Member of the Month … Warren McKEnnariey

This month, we’re shining the spotlight on none other than Warren McKennariey — a man whose athletic history, humour, grit, and community spirit make him an absolute force in our team.

A Humble Nominee

When asked about being named Member of the Month, Warren admitted he felt “overwhelmed, appreciative, honoured and embarrassed.” In his usual modest style, he insisted there were plenty of other candidates more deserving — “all the guides,” as he put it. But anyone who knows Warren knows that his journey is extraordinary in every sense.

Early Life & Family

Born the youngest of 13 children, Warren grew up in a big Queensland family steeped in motorsport. The McKennarieys have long been part of the drag-racing and custom-car scene, producing recognised cars like the iconic Agro HQ and running a successful engine-building workshop.

And the competitive streak hasn’t faded — one of Warren’s brothers now competes in engine assembly racing at Hotwit shows. In front of crowds, he and his teammate fully dismantle and rebuild an engine under the clock, competing round by round until a winner is crowned. Warren laughs: “enough about those losers 🤣 — this is about me!”

In 1986, Warren became the fastest vision-impaired athlete in the Southern Hemisphere, and the following year he broke the world record at Olympic Park in Sydney, running the 100m in 10.77 seconds.

From Rugby To Running

Running wasn’t his first sporting love — Rugby League was. Warren always dreamt of being a Rugby superstar, but his playing days were cut short when doctors warned that repeated tackles could cause him to lose his sight completely. While still in high school, he kept training with the team on restricted drills, but a new path soon opened up.

One afternoon, while jogging laps and doing run-throughs at a local oval, Warren was approached by a “Life. Be In It” leader who suggested he try a track meet. At first he declined, but eventually he turned up — only to find his Rugby coach, Steve Stacy (a speedy winger for East Brisbane), lining up too. Unsure of what to do, Warren joined Steve in the 200m. “That’s two laps of a Rugby field!” he thought. But when the gun went off, Warren ran his heart out — and crossed the line ahead of his coach. “Maybe I can be okay at this running thing,” he laughed.

Training & Community

Warren went on to train with outstanding coaches and athletes, and he credits that support with giving him “a great life and plenty of joy.” While he doesn’t like to “name-drop,” he cheerfully admits to running alongside plenty of Achilles Adelaide regulars — Clare, Emma, Katherine, Serin, Che, Bruna and Justine. He knows there are many more, and he’s quick to add: “to all the other guides, I am sure you are just as great.”

Journey To Achilles

After several frustrating years trying to find a guide — with even NDIS support workers and friends unable to help — Warren almost gave up on running altogether. Then came a phone call from his mate Kent at SARRC: “I think I’ve solved your running problem. There’s a new group called Achilles — give them a go.”

When Warren turned up at Glenelg, he was greeted by an enthusiastic and passionate Justine who said, “so you’re Warren, the fast runner.” He laughs that Kent had “over-sold” his ability, but that moment marked the beginning of his new chapter. “As they say, the rest is history,” Warren reflects. “I’m so relieved and appreciative of Justine for starting Achilles and all the amazing guides.”

What Running Has Given Him

Running has taken Warren all over the world: to the Paralympics, World Championships, and countless marathons. It has brought him medals (national and international gold), trophies, records, and titles. But more than that, running gave him his greatest treasures — his wife Karen (“I’m not saying she’s a trophy, but I wouldn’t have met her otherwise”) and his daughter Charlotte, whom he describes as “amazing, awesome, fantastic and inspirational.”

He is endlessly proud of Charlotte, saying simply: “I love you so much, C.J.”

Looking ahead, Warren says he’ll keep running with whatever ability he has: “I’ve been given a gift not many people are as fortunate to have. It is scripted: ‘he giveth, can taketh.’ So I will keep running until the great one decides to take me.”

Sporting Highlights

• Represented Australia at the 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games in the 400m (B2) and long jump.
• Held the world record for the 100m for three weeks in 1987.
• First vision-impaired person in South Australia to earn a Taekwondo black belt (later 2nd Dan).
• 2022 Newcastle Marathon with guide Oscar, fundraising for Guide Dogs SA/NT.
• 2024 Cycling: Individual Pursuit Silver Medal at Sydney.
• 2025 Gold Coast Marathon with guide Bobby, fundraising for the Black Dog Institute.
• 2025 Oceania Masters Games, Brisbane: Gold medals in the 8km Cross Country and 5km Track — setting new Oceania Masters Para Athlete records.
• 2025 City-Bay Half Marathon with a PB

Something Quirky

Despite all his athletic ability, Warren confesses he can’t do a single proper sit-up. Not one. And in case you’re wondering what fuels his running — it’s definitely not fruit. “I don’t like it,” he says flatly.

Final Word From Warren

At the end of the day, Warren is clear-eyed about his journey. “It doesn’t matter where I’ve been, what I’ve done, or achieved. I was once told by another athlete — an Olympian and medal winner — that I was never a good athlete. But it only matters to me. I know what I have done and achieved.”

A Sporting Life With Purpose

What really makes Warren extraordinary is his outlook. He’s always up for a challenge — whether it’s a marathon, leading his work team in a step-count competition (spoiler: he topped the leaderboard), or simply showing up with determination at Saturday training. He’s also a devoted husband to Karen and proud dad to Charlotte, weaving his sporting passion seamlessly into family life.

Warren, you remind us that running isn’t just about the finish line. It’s about resilience, humour, love, and community. You are proof that no challenge is too great — and we are so proud to have you in the Achilles Adelaide family.

Picture description: Warren and Che standing together at the Oceania Masters Games in September 2025