Noosa Triathlon 2026 results: Swim cancelled before Hauser and Van Coevorden claim titles

Matthew Hauser made it back-to-back Noosa titles while fellow Aussie Natalie Van Coevorden claimed an emotional maiden victory as a cancelled swim forced a change of format at Sunday’s Garmin Noosa Triathlon.

The presence of marine life on the swim course meant the elite fields instead tackled a 5km opening run, followed by the scheduled 40km bike and 10km run.

Hauser proved emphatic in his title defence, winning by more than three minutes from Luke Willian, with John Reed completing the podium.

There was a much closer contest in the women’s race, where Van Coevorden finally pulled clear of Richelle Hill in the closing kilometres to secure the title after several previous podium finishes.

Hauser doubles up

Reed set a strong early pace on the opening 5km run, but Hauser was determined to make his mark on the bike rather than leave his title defence riding on the final 10km.

Hauser and Willian established a decisive advantage, with the defending champion ultimately crossing the line in 1:39:34. Willian followed 3:25 later, while Reed secured third in 1:43:53.

Matt Hauser winning the 2026 Garmin Noosa Triathlon - Photo Korupt Vision — Matt Hauser winning the 2026 Garmin Noosa Triathlon [Photo credit: Korupt Vision]

“It’s amazing to go back-to-back here, there was a bit of a change up with the swim being cancelled but here in Noosa, we got to do the course and the race justice and give it a crack regardless,” said Hauser.

“It started out pretty quick with John Reed heading out the 5k in a pretty quick time and I knew it was important to get rolling on the bike pretty soon on and didn’t want to leave it down to the last run. Luke and I managed to get a good gap and it was over from then on.”

Hauser became the first man to successfully defend the Noosa title since Aaron Royle won in 2013 and 2014, a milestone made more meaningful by Royle’s induction into the event’s Walk of Fame earlier in race week.

“I looked up to Aaron for a lot of years now, and to have his name up there on the honour board and mine along with it, it’s pretty special,” said Hauser.

Brandon Copeland and John Fothergill rounded out the all-Australian top five.

Van Coevorden’s breakthrough

The changed format initially appeared to have dealt Van Coevorden a difficult hand, but she backed herself to stay in contention before making her winning move late in the race.

Hill was the early aggressor, completing the opening 5km more than 30 seconds clear of the chasing pack.

Last year’s runner-up maintained her advantage through the early stages of the bike before being caught around halfway through the 40km leg, according to Van Coevorden.

Lotte Wilms was first into the second transition, but the decisive contest on the final run developed between Hill and Van Coevorden.

The pair ran shoulder to shoulder for much of the 10km before Van Coevorden pushed clear in the closing kilometres, winning in 1:58:11 with Hill just 15 seconds behind. Milan Agnew took third in 2:00:26.

Natalie Van Coevorden claiming the win in the 2026 Garmin Noosa Triathlon - Photo Korupt Vision — Natalie Van Coevorden claims the win in Noosa [Photo credit: Korupt Vision]

“I actually can’t believe it, to be honest. When we didn’t get a swim this morning, I thought maybe the cards are out of my hand today, but honestly, I just backed myself all day and I felt really good out there,” said Van Coevorden.

Now racing over the IRONMAN 70.3 distance, she admitted the fast opening run had been an unfamiliar challenge. Staying in touch gave her the chance to contest the victory, although she knew the threat posed by Hill.

“I know she’s a phenomenal runner and she’s an Under 23 World Champ. So for me to run with her was pretty cool, but when I thought she was struggling a little bit I put my foot down and just never looked back,” she said.

After coming close on previous visits, the significance of finally joining Noosa’s roll of honour was clear.

“Honestly, I nearly broke down into tears to be honest. There are so many women ahead of me that are champions, legends on this sport, that I looked up to when I was younger have won the Noosa Triathlon, and to finally come back here and win it in such a special year so far it’s just so amazing to me.”

Wilms (NED) finished fourth, with Kira Hedgeland completing the top five, all of them Australian bar Wilms.