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Health & Fitness

Ironman science teacher has endurance, intellegence, and passion

Ironman science teacher has endurance, intellegence, and passion

Profiles of Success, a series about our local people, by Scott Durzo

When Los Al HS principal Dr. Grant Litfin shared a little known outstanding fact about a fellow colleague, he said something like, “he’s the best overall athlete on this campus…”  Wondering which student-athlete Dr. Litfin was referring too, he added, “he’s qualified (again) for the Hawaii’n Ironman Triathlon and he’s standing right over there.”  And there stood, Mr. Gordon MacDuff, science teacher extraordinaire, who, this summer will celebrate his 50th birthday and has qualified and participated in four Ironman Triathlons. MacDuff has participated in the Ironman triathlon each decade of his life.  MacDuff competed in the Ironman in his 20’s (1988), in his 30’s (1991), in his 40’s (2007), and now, turning 50 this summer, he will be competing on October 8, 2011 in Kona, Hawaii, for his fourth time.

MacDuff was born in Colorado, moved to So Cal and graduated from Huntington Beach HS.  He attended UCSB, CSULB, and CSUDH and earned a BS in Anatomy and Physiology.  He continued his education and earned a Masters in Science/Biology.  MacDuff, has taught his entire 18 year career at the high school.

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MacDuff teaches biology and marine science.  His passions are having his student’s value and appreciate the importance of nature and understanding the precious balance between biodiversity and nature.  Next year, MacDuff will be teaching AP Environmental Science along with his other signature courses.  In 1995, MacDuff coached cross-country and the girls’ team became CIF champions and went on to place 2nd at the State Finals. 

Mr. MacDuff is a grounded, confident, and passionate educator.  His students are engaged and were astounded when they heard of their teacher’s competitive spirit and participation in the Ironman.  Students describe their humble and often times shy-like instructor as:  energetic, humble, loves education, “he’s the most intelligent teacher I’ve ever had the pleasure of learning from,” “he’s the most passionate and dedicated teacher I’ve ever had,” “Mr. MacDuff is a great man and deserves to be the winner of the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii…normally I don’t like science, but he’s gotten me into liking science now.” 

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MacDuff gives it his all each day.  His students display the same positive upbeat attitude that comes from a man that is driven from within, their teacher, Mr. MacDuff. 

Each week, MacDuff racks up astounding training distances.  He swims 10,000 yards, rides his bike 250 miles, and runs 50 miles.  For the Ironman competition, he hopes to finish in less than 10 hours and will have swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and run a marathon of 26.2 miles.  MacDuff has been training his entire life and has a steadfast and healthy nutrition “way of life” he aspires to.

Excitedly, MacDuff’s oldest sister has qualified for this years Ironman and they will be travelling together to the big race in October.  MacDuff’s wife, Jennifer, and as MacDuff described, “my beautiful” 8-year daughter, Skye, will also be accompanying him in October to Kona, Hawaii.

MacDuff demonstrates what a competitor he is in his classroom, by keeping his science classes interesting and engaging; then raising his family, and keeping his passion for competition spicy and alive by competing in his fourth Ironman Triathlon at age 50!

He’s spirited, kind, intelligent, and tough:  He’s Mr. Gordon MacDuff

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