Gwen Jorgensen

Hometown: Waukesha, Wis.
Resides: Boulder, CO
College: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Height: 5-10 / 177
Weight: 130lbs / 55kg
Birthdate: 4/25/1986
Coach: Bobby McGee

An accountant turned “Queen of Triathlon,”

Since she won gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Gwen Jorgensen has captivated fans of running—in part because during that golden performance, she pulled away throughout the run segment of the event and had the fastest split of the day for the 10K.

In 2017, Jorgensen announced she was giving up the “comfort” of triathlon dominance to pursue a bold new goal: Win an Olympic gold medal in the marathon. Her announcement came just months after giving birth to her son Stanley.

Jorgensen has husband and chef (and former pro cyclist) Patrick Lemieux by her side and they work seamlessly as a team. One of his top priorities? Helping his wife fuel her training, especially during the nine months she spent breastfeeding and listening to her body, as she worked herself back into shape. Gwen is a relatable and accessible working mom who is continuing to inspire on her new journey with her family’s support every step of the way.

Career Highlights

  • 2016 Olympic Champion

  • 2015 World Champion

  • 2014 World Champion

  • 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Member

  • 2013 USA Triathlon's Triathlete of the Year

  • 2014 USA Triathlon's Triathlete of the Year

  • 2015 USA Elite National Champion

  • 2014 USA Elite National Champion

  • 2013 USAT Elite National Champion (Sprint and Olympic Distance)

  • First USA Woman to win a World Triathlon Series race

  • 17-time ITU World Triathlon Series Winner

  • 2010 USAT Rookie of the Year

  • 2010 USAT Elite Duathlete of the Year

Personal records

  • Mile: 4:39.43 i

  • 3000 m: 9:10.12 i

  • 5000 m: 15:15.64 i

  • 10000 m: 31:55.68

  • 10 Mile: 53:13

  • Half Marathon: 1:10.58

  • Marathon: 2:36.23

2016 highlights

  • 2016 Olympic Champion

2015 highlights

  • 2015 World Champion

  • 2015 USAT National Champion in ITU Olympic Distance Triathlon

  • Qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team on Aug. 2 by winning the Rio de Janeiro ITU Olympic World Qualification Event

  • 12 consecutive wins on the ITU World Triathlon Series circuit, with a streak beginning in May 2014

2014 Highlights

  • Made history by being first triathlete to win four WTS races in a row: London, Yokohama, Chicago, and Hamburg

  • 2014 USAT National Champion in Olympic distance

  • 2014 World Champion

  • 3rd place finish at WTS Cape Town

  • Dunkerque French Grand Prix Champion

  • Mooloolaba World Cup Champion

2013 Highlights

  • Made history as the first American woman to win an ITU World Triathlon Series race at the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon Series Race in San Diego on April 19

  • Logged her second straight ITU World Triathlon Series win at the May 11 event in Yokohama

  • Won a third World Triathlon Series race in Stockholm

  • 2013 USAT National Champion in Olympic and Sprint distance Triathlon

  • 2013 USA Triathlon Elite Triathlete of the Year

  • Named one of the top 10 most influential people in the sport of Triathlon by Inside Tri

2012 Highlights

  • Member of the USA Triathlon National Team and a 2012 U.S. Olympian

  • Finished a career-best ninth overall and as the No. 2 American in the 2012 ITU World Triathlon Series rankings

  • Closed her season with a runner-up finish at the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final in Auckland, New Zealand, on Oct. 20

  • Surged from more than a minute down off the bike to the silver medal and her second career ITU World Triathlon Series podium finish thanks to the day’s fastest 10k split

  • Made her Olympic Games debut in London on Aug. 4, finishing 38th after suffering an untimely flat tire on the bike

  • Placed second and had the fastest run at the July 14 Life Time Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis

  • Claimed her second career ITU World Cup victory June 17 in Banyoles, Spain

  • Finished fourth at the ITU World Triathlon Series race in Sydney on April 14

2011 Highlights

  • Winner of the 2011 USA Triathlon Elite Race Series women’s title

  • Overcame a crash on the bike to run her way to a runner-up finish at the USA Triathlon Elite National Championship in Buffalo, N.Y., on Sept. 24

  • Posted her first ITU World Cup win in Tiszaujvaros, Hungary, on Aug. 14 with the day’s fastest run split at 33:49 which was 42 second faster than any other competitor

  • Less than two years after completing her first competitive triathlon, placed second to post the best finish by an American woman in the history of the ITU World Championship Series and claim a spot on the 2012 United States Olympic Triathlon Team on Aug. 6 in London

  • Made her ITU World Championship Series debut in Madrid on June 5

2010 Highlights

  • Named the 2010 USA Triathlon Rookie of the Year and Elite Duathlete of the Year after a remarkable debut season as an elite

  • Led the U.S. with a runner-up finish at the 2010 PATCO Pan American Championship in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

  • Finished 2nd at the 2010 FISU World University Championships in Valencia, Spain, in just her second triathlon after posting the fastest run split by more than 2 minutes

Athletic Background

  • In her first competitive triathlon, earned elite card with an eighth-place finish (second amateur) at USAT’s Elite Development Race in March 2010 in Clermont, Fla.

  • Member of the track & field, cross country and swimming teams at University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Swam for three years in college before switching to track on a full-time basis

  • Earned All-America honors in both track and cross country

  • 2009 Big Ten champion in the 5,000m and 3,000m

  • Three-time NCAA Championship participant in track and two-time cross country participant

  • Qualified for the Big Ten Swimming Championships from 2004-07

  • Six-time Academic All-Big Ten choice and recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 2009

  • Standout in both swimming and track at Waukesha South High School.

Personal

  • Name: Gwen Jorgensen

  • Family: Parents are Nancy and Joel Jorgensen. One older sister: Elizabeth. Husband Patrick Lemieux, avid cyclist and skier and world's number 1 caretaker.

  • Foods I Eat Daily: Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Eggs, Oats, Meat, Chocolate

  • Favorite Breakfast: Oats with raisins, walnuts, bananas, peanut butter, honey and two poached eggs on top

  • If I Wasn't An Athlete I Would: be using my CPA License as a Tax Accountant (formerly employed at EY) or a full time mom

  • Favorite App: Yelp

  • Favorite Charity: Bowerman Youth Elite Team and

  • Favorite Session: 6x1km runs at race pace

  • Favorite Training Group: Wollongong Wizards

  • Bedtime: 8pm

  • Morning or Night Person: Morning

  • Training Locations: Portland, OR