Mercer name etched into Noosa triathlon history as winner channels father’s will in emotional victory

He beat a quality field including Olympians and veterans of the sport, and Brayden Mercer could feel the spirit of ironman Dad Dean on the way to the line.

Brayden Mercer crosses the line to record an emotional maiden Noosa Triathlon win. Photo: Alex Polizzi

His dad was renowned as one of the most ferocious racers in Australian sport and Brayden Mercer has taken the same attitude – and a lift from his spirit in the final stretch – to write himself into history as a winner of Australia’s most famous triathlon.

Mercer, the son of surf lifesaving champion Dean, who died in 2017, was a shock winner of the title in a field that included Olympians Luke Willian, Jake Birtwhistle and Tayler Reid. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Gentle extended her Noosa legacy, winning her 11th title and 10th in succession.

Expected to lead out of the water given his strength in the swim, Mercer headed into the run just behind leader Jamie Riddle but passed the South African early on and managed to hold on for a famous win.

Noosa triathlon winner Brayden Mercer (centre), with New Zealand's Tayler Reid (left, second) and Luke Willian (right, third). Photo: Alex Polizzi

“Before every race, I ask for strength from him,” Mercer said of his ironman dad, a two-time Australian champion who famously pipped the great Trevor Hendy on the line, his iron will helping him to the win.

“That last sort of 5k I just felt this lift, and I think that was him giving me strength from above.”

With New Zealand Olympian Reid and Willian, who represented Australia in Paris, coming fast in the final stages, Mercer hung on to etch his name into the record books beside some of Australia’s greatest triathletes in what was an incredibly emotional victory for both the 20-year and his family and friends.

“I’ve come down to watch this event for years and I’ve always wanted to do it since I was a little kid and then that last 100 metres, when I saw that tape and I knew that I was going to win, I can’t describe it.

“I saw mum and everyone at the finish line … mum means the world to me and my brothers, so honestly, it was an emotional victory, but I think hopefully, the first of many, and an amazing feeling.”

Ashleigh Gentle crosses the line to win the Noosa Triathlon for an 11th time. Photo: Alex Polizzi

“Mum” is ironwoman champion Reen Corbett, who was in tears at the finish line – but she was hardly alone.

Olympic champion Emma Snowsill was brought to tears in commentary, while Olympic swimmer and ironman champion Ky Hurst – a great friend of Dean Mercer’s who has been a mentor to Brayden – was also emotional.

“Ky’s a great mentor of mine, I’ve known him since I was little and he’s always been there to give me advice and help me out with everything,” Mercer said.

“Before the start of the swim he came out to me and said, ‘You got this? Do you need any help?’ and I said, ‘No, I’ve got this’, so I just went out there and did my thing.

“But Ky was really close with (Dad) and a role model of mine, for sure.”

Noosa triathlon winner Ashleigh Gentle (centre) on the podium with Richelle Hill (left, second) and Natalie van Coevorden (right, third). Photo: Alex Polizzi

Gentle extended her incredible Noosa legacy, snaring her 11th title while in heavy training for the T100 triathlon world tour final in Dubai in a fortnight.

Noosa is usually the final race on Gentle’s program each year before she and husband Josh Amberger, also a professional triathlete, head off on holidays.

“I definitely felt the load in the legs, and I was definitely getting tired towards the end of the run, but I’m really proud to get that I put together a really solid race today,” Gentle said.

“Today will be the first time in 13 years of racing the Noosa Tri that I will warm down.

“I’ve got Josh’s bike set up in the hotel room, so I am going to go and do a warm down and definitely do a proper protocol to make sure that the body pulls up really well, so I can hit the week feeling good before I get on that plane next Sunday.”

Noosa Triathlon – Men: 1. Brayden Mercer 1hr 43min 20sec, 2. Tayler Reid, 3. Luke Willian.Women: 1.Ashleigh Gentle 1:55.56, 2. 1; Richelle Hill, 3. Natalie van Coevorden

Originally published as Mercer name etched into Noosa triathlon history as winner channels father’s will in emotional victory