SMARTER MERCER CHASING GOLDEN GRAIL

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, October 17: Veteran Ironman Dean Mercer admitted he would "find an excuse to keep coming back" even if he does win Sunday's nib Coolangatta Gold.

Mercer, 38 the elder statesman of Australian Ironman racing will line up in his fifth GOLD ASSAULT hoping to keep a host of youngsters at bay.

The man who has finished third in 1992 and 2006 was on hand at Surfers Paradise beach today putting the finishing touches to what he believes has been "his smartest preparation."

Mercer admitted that the older you get the smarter you get when it comes to preparing for the 46 kilometre return journey from Surfers to Greenmount.

Mercer said: " I'd like to think that was the case and having done this race so many times in the past my training I believe has been a lot smarter this time around.

"I feel great, I'm as ready as I have ever been in the past and I'm as enthusiastic about competing in this iconic event as I was back in 1992.

"Even if I did manage to win the event this year I'm sure I would find an excuse to keep coming back, I love it that much.

"It is the ultimate Ironman test and I believe that is the appeal to everyone that enters the race and everyone who follows the sport."

Record fields will meet the starter's gun from 7am on Sunday morning with the elite men until 7.55am for elite women who will contest a 30 kilometre round trip from Surfers to Currumbin.

Surf Life Saving Australia officials are delighted with the record entries which will see 190 individual competitors and 58 teams contest this eighth running of the iconic event first contested back in 1984.

While Mercer is primed for another gruelling day in the office he will have to contend with a host of young blood led by 2005 champion Caine Eckstein 2006 runner up Nathan Smith and Gold Coast pair Hugh Dougherty and Luke Nisbet amongst others.

The women's field will be lead by two time winner Hayley Bateup who will be chasing her own slice of nib Coolangatta Gold history as the first person to win three titles.

Bateup, at 28, will have to contend with another former Australian Ironwoman champion in Kirsty Holmes who will line up for the race for the first time as well as the likes of Northcliffe's Courtney Hancock and Burleigh Head's pair of Alyce Bennett and Tahlia Ferguson.

The individual winners are expected to reach Surfers Paradise between 11 and 11.30am but if the southerly conditions prevailing on the coast today continue for Sunday then the fields will have a tough opening ski leg but a more comfortable journey back to the finish line.

Organisers have constructed the finishing arch close to the Surfers Paradise promenade which is sure to attract a huge crowd to welcome the winner's home. - Ian Hanson