Zac Esso was a regular teenage boy. He played cricket, football, rugby, soccer, ran cross country, and track & field. He was school house captain, played music and went to the state honours ensemble program. Late one night, his Mum called the Home Doctor Service to treat a bout of tonsillitis for Zac. As he was leaving, the Doctor queried Zac’s heart murmur – a question that, after a series of follow up appointments, very much saved his life.

Three months later, Zac was formally diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body. In the same month, he had a cardiac defibrillator implanted under his skin, and his first cardiac arrest during a treadmill stress test next to a cardiologist.

“It was exactly like in the movies where there was a big black hole with all my friends’ faces whizzing past, slowly getting smaller and smaller. It got to a small dot before it stopped and then my whole world sucked back into it. And that was me waking up and breathing again,” Zac recalls.

Over the coming months, Zac had four more cardiac arrests, one where he felt his defib go off without passing out; “it was very painful, and makes you realise that if you didn’t have the defib at that moment, you wouldn’t be here today.”

Zac’s health continued to decline so rapidly that he was put on the list for a heart transplant less than one year after diagnosis.

Zac’s Mum, Dionne, remembers the exact moment he decided to ride for transplant research, “prior to his transplant, he was in a very dark place, the doctor suggested he make some short- and long-term goals for his mental health. We were sitting waiting for an appointment at the hospital and saw a poster promoting the Cycle of Giving. He set that as a long-term goal, which at the time just seemed ridiculous.

“But once he got the heart, it was on for young and old. He was chomping at the bit to get to the rehab gym. He had decided quite a bit earlier that he was going to give back and fundraise.”

Zac is in training for the Tour de Brisbane 60km course, which includes a lap of Mt Coot-tha, as his first long-term goal post heart transplant.

To donate to The Common Good, click here. 

The post Zac Esso, The Common Good appeared first on Brisbane Blast.

As Brisbane’s largest outdoor participation event since the COVID lockdown, the Blast featured three free lifestyle events and two competitive races including an ITU Age Group World Qualifier for Duathlon.

Race Director Mike Crawley said feedback for the event by local families has been great so far.

“Our goal was to provide an opportunity for all ages and abilities to experience our beautiful City over the Story Bridge.”

“We know the benefits of exercise to our mental and physical wellbeing, particularly after a tough year for so many.”

“From families with young kids, fathers with their daughters, and groups of friends looking to get active, it was a great community atmosphere,” said Crawley.

“We were proud to offer the Walk, Run and Ride for Free thanks to our insurance sponsor Splatt Lawyers.”

Kedron participant Stuart Cowin loved the inaugural experience.

“It was such an incredible morning, it was so heart warming to see so many families coming out together and participating in such a well run event. Let’s hope it can be bigger and better next year”.

The not-for-profit event supported The Common Good, an initiative of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, raising funds for heart and lung transplant research.

Together with the Tour de Brisbane in April 2021, the goal is to raise $200,000 in funds for The Common Good.

Event organisers thank the residents and businesses of Brisbane for their support during the event.

The post Brisbane Families Have a Blast in Free Walk, Run and Ride over the Story Bridge appeared first on Brisbane Blast.

Transition is open from 4.30am – 6.00am.

There are no set entry times into transition, just ensure you leave enough time to make it to your entry gate in time for your race.

Can I wear a race belt?

Yes, but note that if your bib is not easily seen your photographers may not be able to capture the unique barcode that will hold your event images.

Do you have to go to transition?

Yes, everyone must go to transition prior to their race start for a helmet and bike safety check.

Getting from transition to your start line

Entry Gate onto River Terrace

Sprint Duathlon

Your Entry Gate opens at 5.30am via Paton Street

First race start at 6.00am

Enticer Duathlon

Your Entry Gate opens at 5.50am via Paton Street

First race start at 6.25am

The post Duathlon Update appeared first on Brisbane Blast.

Tuesday 3 November 2020, Brisbane City

There is just one week to go until families from across South East Queensland cross the Story Bridge in a Free Walk, Run and Ride at the Brisbane Blast.

Coming up on Sunday 15 November, the Brisbane Blast is a community celebration featuring five lifestyle events over the Story Bridge, including a Free 4km Bridge Walk, a Free 4km Fun Run and a Free 4km Community Ride.

There will also be a 10.5km Cycle Sprint as well as a Sprint and Enticer Duathlon with an ITU Age Group World Qualifier.

All events start at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, with participants making their way over the iconic Story Bridge into the Ivory Street Tunnel, continuing on Queen and Eagle Streets through to the City Botanic Gardens. Walkers, runners and cyclists will enjoy the best sights of the City from the Bridge and will be encouraged to make their way through the Botanic Gardens after finishing.

As one of Brisbane’s first major outdoor events since COVID lockdown, Event Director Mike Crawley wanted to offer a community celebration in line with Queensland Government’s campaign ‘Good To Go’. Under a COVID safe event plan, the morning allows participants to come together after the last six months of stresses during isolation and restrictions.

“We understand the enormous benefits being active and going outside has on our physical and mental well-being, and the five Blast events cater to all ages and abilities,” said Crawley.

“We are pleased to be able to offer free entries for the Walk, Run, and Ride thanks to our insurance sponsor Splatt Lawyers.”

“Registrations for the events close Sunday 8 November and we encourage the local community to get involved.”

This event will run in consultation with State Sporting Organisations and Department of Health requirements to ensure delivery of a COVID-safe event.

The Brisbane Blast is fundraising for The Common Good, an initiative of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, raising funds for heart and lung transplant research.

Event Ambassador Zac Esso knows all too well the importance of organ transplant research.

The Brisbane Blast is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Brisbane City Council via Brisbane Economic Development Agency, and features on the  It’s Live! in Queensland  events calendar.

Join the Brisbane Blast:

• Website: www.brisbaneblast.org
• Facebook: /BrisbaneBlast
• Instagram: @brisbaneblast
• Twitter: @brisbaneblast

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The post Brisbane Blast Ready to Rock on Sunday 15 November appeared first on Brisbane Blast.