He finished with an ATAR of 98.95, achieving a Band 6 (>90% raw mark) in three subjects: Ancient History, English Extension 1 and Physics.

McDonald competed and finished 10th in the 5000 meters in the U20 division at the 2014 World Junior Athletics Championships in Hayward Field, Eugene.

[11][12][13] In 2021, McDonald represented Australia in the 5000m at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where he failed to advance from the qualifying heats.

[16] McDonald launched his Olympics campaign in early 2024, running a 13:07.30 5000m indoors at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic.

[17] At his first Australian Athletics Championship since 2018, McDonald was narrowly outleaned for the victory in the 5000 m and finished just 0.05 seconds behind the winner, Matthew Ramsden.

In May 2024, McDonald ran a personal best in the 5000 m at the USATF LA Grand Prix in 13:00.48,[18] achieving the Olympic standard in the process.