Braden Mercer's Fairytale Victory at 2024 Noosa Triathlon
Twenty-one-year-old Braden Mercer, son of late surf lifesaving icon Dean Mercer, dominated from swim to finish to claim an emotional hometown victory at triathlon's biggest race.
In a performance that will be etched into Noosa Triathlon folklore, local sensation Braden Mercer produced the race of his life to claim a stunning victory in the 41st edition of Australia's most prestigious Olympic distance event. The 21-year-old surf lifesaving convert dominated from start to finish, crossing the line in 1:43:20 to claim his first major triathlon victory.
Coming into the race wearing bib #33 in a field of 21 elite men, Mercer wasn't on many pre-race prediction lists. However, those familiar with his surf lifesaving pedigree weren't surprised when he emerged from the 1.5km swim in the lead group, exiting the pristine waters of Noosa Main Beach alongside South Africa's Jamie Riddle and New Zealand's Taylor Reid.
Shawn Smith
The swim itself unfolded in picture-perfect conditions, with the water temperature at 24.6 degrees making it a non-wetsuit swim. A light westerly wind and small surf meant pure swimming ability would be the differentiator, playing perfectly into Mercer's hands.
On the 40km bike leg, conventional wisdom suggested the young local's challenge would fade. Instead, Mercer took control. Working effectively with Riddle and Reid, the trio established what would prove to be the decisive break of the day on the infamous Garmin Hill climb. The group maintained speeds between 45-50km/h on the flat sections, according to on-course reports from coach Toby Coutts.
Pre-race favorite Jake Birtwhistle, a two-time Noosa champion, found himself in an unfamiliar position, sitting 1:36 behind at the halfway point of the bike leg. Even with his renowned running prowess, the deficit would prove too much to overcome.
BY THE NUMBERS
21 years old. Lowest seeded in field. Winning time of 1:43:20. Margin: 38 seconds (largest in 3 years). Key Split: Led by 34 seconds at 5km mark of run. Son of 2x Noosa Ironman Dean Mercer. First local Noosa resident to win the men's race
The real shock came on the run, where many expected Mercer's challenge to finally fade. Instead, he produced what can only be described as the performance of his career. By the 5km mark of the run, he had established a 34-second lead over the chase group, maintaining his form through the technical sections of the course while showing no signs of the fatigue that typically plagues young athletes at this distance.
"I knew that I have the run there down pat, but obviously it's a different story doing a 10K off the bike," Mercer reflected post-race. "Just having that strength and obviously still being young, I'm trying to develop that. So I knew that if I went out at a pace and just told myself I could hold it, which I did."
The victory carried extra emotional weight given the Mercer family's deep connection to Australian sport. Braden's father Dean, a legendary figure in surf lifesaving who passed away several years ago, was very much present in spirit. "That last sort of 5K when it got hard, I was like, I could just feel like I had wings," Mercer shared, fighting back tears. "I felt him out there today."
The final results
- Braden Mercer (AUS) - 1:43:20
- Taylor Reid (NZL) - 1:43:58 (+38 seconds)
- Luke Willian (AUS) - 1:44:15 (+55 seconds)
- Jamie Riddle (RSA) - 1:44:45
- Jake Birtwhistle (AUS) - 1:45:10
The significance of the victory wasn't lost on the triathlon community. Olympic gold medalist Emma Snowsill, commentating on the race, was moved to tears watching Mercer cross the finish line. Surf lifesaving legend Kai Hurst, a close friend of Dean Mercer, was equally emotional at the finish.
For Mercer, this victory could mark the beginning of a significant career in the sport. "I plan to go all the way, but I know that it's not going to be easy," he said when asked about his future ambitions. "Before this race, I had a lot of good races, had a lot of bad ones. So I know it's not going to be an easy road."
The win is particularly poignant given Mercer's history with the event. As a child, he was often seen playing around transition during race week, with Olympic champion Susie O'Neill recalling him "getting under everyone's feet" when he was just four or five years old. Now, he returns as champion, writing his own chapter in the rich history of the Noosa Triathlon.
For the local boy who grew up watching this race, dreaming of one day competing, the victory represents more than just a breakthrough performance - it's the realization of a childhood dream and a powerful reminder that fairy tales sometimes do come true in sport.
"Honestly, I can't describe it," Mercer said, the smile never leaving his face during the post-race interviews. "I saw mum and everyone at the finish line just up here and yeah, honestly, an amazing feeling."
As the age groupers continued to stream past the finish line throughout the day, the buzz around Mercer's victory provided a fitting celebration of what makes the Noosa Triathlon so special. It's where legends are made, dynasties are built, and occasionally, local heroes rise to write their names into sporting history.
