We are thrilled to announce the winner of the 2025 Paul Goodman Memorial Award is Nathan Brown.
This award honours fighting spirit, grit, and courage in the face of adversity – three qualities that defined triathlete Paul Goodman, for which the award is named, and that also shine through in Nathan’s extraordinary journey.
THE JOURNEY TO BUSSELTON
As a teenager, Nathan was a rising star in Australian distance running, representing the country in 5km and 10km events and holding multiple NSW U20 State Championships across 3km, 5km, 10km and cross-country. Ranked 4th nationally at age 18, his elite running career was abruptly halted at 19 years old when he suffered a life-threatening DVT after returning from an international event. Saving his life and then his leg became the medical priority, but his athletic dreams were put on indefinite hold.
Thirty leg surgeries later, including the removal of his ankle joint, Nathan was left with permanent muscle and nerve damage, no sensation in his leg or foot, and a permanent limp. This was devastating for Nathan, who felt a sense of unfinished business with his career having ended not on his own terms.
Over the years, Nathan challenged his limits through marathon swimming and solo kayaking. He endured a stroke, underwent major heart surgery, and most recently, faced thyroid a cancer diagnosis in May 2024. After being declared cancer-free in December 2024, he set his sights on the Busselton Aquabike as a way to “flip the bird” to cancer, find that piece of himself that he lost when he could no longer run, and reclaim his power as an athlete.
He kept his training under the radar, hoping that all would go as planned, and that he could surprise his family and partner with a triumphant finish in May.
RACE DAY
Race weekend arrived, and it was time for all of Nathan’s training and persistence to pay off. He was joined by a cheer squad of loved ones, including his partner Claudia, his dad Jeff (who had coached him during his running career), and his brother Justin, who had been the key driver in helping Nathan walk unaided again. Their support on course added even more importance to an already emotional race.
For Nathan, the swim leg represented one of his greatest physical and mental battles. With no sensation in his affected leg, he typically swims with his legs bound together, relying solely on upper body strength to propel himself through the water. However, the Busselton course required a beach run in and out of the swim, meaning he had to complete the 2km open water swim with his legs unbound. It was an immense physical challenge that pushed Nathan well beyond his comfort zone. The tough conditions on race day didn’t make it any easier, with wind and swell throwing many athletes off their A-game. But true to form, Nathan embraced the moment, determined to see it through, completing the swim in a time of 00:36:51.35.
Making his way through the swim exit and into T1 (00:05:39.27), Nathan embarked on the cycle leg. The weather once again posed challenges, with strong winds and pelting rain trying to dampen his spirits. But they couldn’t touch him. Despite having no sensation in his affected leg, Nathan powered through, pedalling his way to a strong finish with an impressive 80km cycle time of 02:41:22.97.
As an Aquabike athlete, his race time had ended before the bike exit, but Nathan was determined to make it down that finish line – a dream he had kept secret from his parents, brother and the rest of his family. Only his partner Claudia had an inkling of what he planned to do.
After racking his bike in T2, he steeled himself and began to run. This was Nathan’s first run at an event in 33 years, and his first run in front of his family since the DVT had claimed his mobility.
He didn’t know where his family would be on the course, and he wanted to surprise them, so he ran the entire 350-400m from his rack in transition, down the blue carpet, and through the finish arch. The sight of him running, unaided, strong and smiling left his loved ones in tears of joy and surprise.
It was an extraordinary triumph for his dad, who had coached him through his junior running career and supported him through the grief of lost dreams; for his brother, who had used his professional skills to help Nathan regain his mobility and independence; and for his partner, who had been by his side throughout the training journey, running alongside him to build his endurance and providing strength in the hard times. He was also supported by other family members who were also competing.
For Nathan, running down that finish line in Busso was a huge moment of closure and emotion. Finally, he was able to end his running career on his own terms, at a time and place of his own choosing. As they called his name across the line, he felt so proud of what he had achieved.
THANK YOU
Triathlon may be an individual sport, but it takes a team behind the scenes to make the journey possible. Nathan is incredibly grateful for the support of his entire family throughout his comeback, but he especially wishes to thank his two boys, his dad Jeff, his brother Justin, and his partner Claudia for their constant encouragement, belief, and love every step – literally – of the way.
Congratulations, Nathan! We are thrilled to award you the 2025 Paul Goodman Memorial Trophy. You are an inspiration to us all, proving that with persistence and determination, anything is possible. Your journey reminds us that resilience can overcome even the greatest challenges.
