Matt Hauser returns to defend his title at the Garmin Noosa Triathlon this Sunday, while a new women’s champion is guaranteed at the iconic Australian race.
Hauser led from start to finish to claim his first Noosa victory last year, rounding off a memorable campaign which also brought him the World Triathlon Championship title.
And after another impressive season, the Australian says he feels “refreshed and relaxed” as he prepares to take on a field which includes fellow Olympian and former Noosa winner Luke Willian.
The women’s race features three-time podium finisher Richelle Hill and Natalie Van Coevorden, whose four IRONMAN 70.3 victories this season make her an intriguing contender over the shorter distance.
Here’s everything you need to know about the start time, how to watch and the athletes to follow.
Start time and how to watch live
The Garmin Noosa Triathlon takes place in Queensland, Australia, on Sunday November 1, with racing beginning at 06:15 local time (AEST).
That corresponds to 20:15 GMT on Saturday October 31 in the UK, 21:15 in Central Europe and 13:15 Pacific Daylight Time on the US West Coast.
All the action will be available live and free via a YouTube feed which we’ll embed below nearer the time, meaning you don’t need to leave this page.
Course, distance and format
Noosa is an Olympic-distance triathlon, comprising a 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run.
The swim follows an anti-clockwise, oblong course in Laguna Bay, off Noosa Main Beach.
But there is one crucial difference from the WTCS races familiar to many of the leading contenders: the bike leg is non-drafting.
That adds another dimension to the contest between short-course specialists and athletes more accustomed to longer distances. The out-and-back bike route also features a 2km climb around 10km into the ride, before the race concludes with a fast, flat run along Noosa Parade.
Elite men: Hauser refreshed for title defence
Hauser arrives as the defending champion after a 2026 season which featured multiple WTCS victories, including the Finals in Pontevedra, and second place in the overall standings.
And he believes he has more left in the tank than when he arrived at Noosa last year.
“I’m actually feeling quite refreshed and relaxed heading into Noosa Tri this year, as opposed to last year where I was quite drained after a big campaign trying to become World Champion at home and then chasing my first win, but this time around I feel like I’m still energised to close out the year,” he said.
“I’m still fit and ready to go and have been training well and consistently post Pontevedra Worlds as well.”
Having first visited the event as a teenager, Hauser is now looking to join some illustrious names as a multiple winner.
“I’m motivated by the likes of Aaron Royle, Craig Walton and Ash Gentle who have been able to back it up and go for multiple wins,” he explained.
“It meant a lot to stand on the top step of the podium last year, it’s such an important race on the sporting calendar in Australia, especially for triathlon.”
One athlete who knows exactly what it takes to win here is Luke Willian, the 2021 champion.
The Paris Olympian finished eighth in this year’s WTCS standings, securing a third consecutive season inside the top 10, and believes his form puts him in a strong position.
“It’s been a big year of racing, finishing top eight in the World Triathlon series, and finishing in the top 10 for the third year in a row, consistently achieving that is pretty special and it means I’m in some pretty good form heading into Noosa,” he said.
Willian, who recently turned 30, will be making his ninth appearance at an event he describes as “probably my favourite race on the calendar”.
Australian Brandon Copeland and American John Reed are also among those looking to challenge for the title.
Elite women: Hill vs Van Coevorden?
With defending champion Jess Fullagar absent, there will be a new name on the women’s roll of honour.
Richelle Hill has been a regular on the Noosa podium, finishing in the top three for each of the past three years, including runner-up spots in both 2024 and 2025.
But after a difficult season disrupted by health and injury concerns, simply making the start line carries extra significance for the 24-year-old.
“Honestly, I’m just extremely grateful that I can stand on the start line and race. I’ve missed a lot this year due to injury, sickness, and suspected heart issues, so to be here fit and healthy means the world to me,” she said.
“This is and always will be my favourite race. The atmosphere and support, it’s truly a hub of good vibes.”
Another contender with previous Noosa podium finishes is Natalie Van Coevorden, who was second in 2018 and third in 2024.
The Paris Olympian has increasingly focused on longer distances and arrives with four IRONMAN 70.3 wins this season across Australia, Spain and the Philippines, most recently at Port Macquarie a fortnight ago.
That success has given her fresh belief, even if returning to Olympic-distance racing now feels somewhat unfamiliar.
“I’m excited to come back to Noosa as it feels like I’m coming back to a distance that feels unknown and foreign to me now,” she said.
“The foreignness of it brings a decrease in pressure and just to enjoy a ‘new’ challenge. I have a few wins this season over the IRONMAN 70.3 distance and with that it has sparked a new burst of confidence in myself and the ability to hold up the winning tape.”
The non-drafting format should make this a fascinating test of her experience across the distances, and Van Coevorden believes a first Noosa victory is within reach.
“Coming so close over the past years, I would love to be standing on the top step this weekend,” she said.
“Ash Gentle has set the standard for what it takes to win in Noosa and to be on the honours board with her and many other great athletes over the years would be a great achievement for myself.”
Lotte Wilms and Charlotte McShane also bring long-distance form after racing at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona earlier this month, while Milan Agnew and Kira Hedgeland feature among the short-course specialists.
Recent Noosa Triathlon winners
| Year | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Matt Hauser (AUS) | Jess Fullagar (GBR) |
| 2024 | Brayden Mercer (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) |
| 2023 | Hayden Wilde (NZL) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) |
| 2022 | Charlie Quin (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) |
| 2021 | Luke Willian (AUS) | Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) |
