Today will be Shaun Brown’s 28th sprint distance triathlon in a row as he closes in on his goal of completing 50 triathlons in 50 days.
Every day over the last month, Shaun has swum 750 meters, rode 20 kilometres, and ran five to give back to those most vulnerable in the community, all through the power of sport.
He’s up at 5am for his roughly hour and a half ritual before work, but not just because he’s a fitness fanatic, it’s also an altruistic athletic pursuit.
The goal: to raise awareness for community charities, local triathlon clubs, and the personal benefits of exercise – as well as some much-needed donations for those local causes.
“I’ve come to a point in triathlons where I didn’t have many challenges left and I wanted to give back to the community I love,” Shaun said.
“I didn’t have money but what I did have was time and so I offered that.
“You see big sportsmen do big sports fundraisers all the time - and I’m not that – but I said, I’ll see what I can do! I think it’s been a great vessel for me and for everyone to see what you can give back to the community.”
His two charities of choice are Chances Café and Op Shop and the Australian Street Aid Project – both non-for-profits that help the homeless.
He aims to raise them $10,000 dollars - of which he has already raised $8,000. Those funds will directly help the charities, with the funds at Chances being used to run their regular breakfast facilities, which have helped feed those needy in Mackay.
Local businesses like Muscle Garden Gym and Gold Coast clothing company Self Aware have generously donated to raise the funds, while triathlon clubs in the region and locals have jumped on board for the message.
The idea to donate those funds to two grassroots charities in Mackay came from Shaun’s wife.
“She’s been working at the PCYC for 18 months and some of the stories I would hear about youth and families and struggles – especially social housing which is an issue all across Australia,” Shaun said.
“It’s needed everywhere. People everywhere are being affected by homelessness.”
On Day 24, he recalled riding near South Bank after relentless rain the night before.
“There would have been 40 homeless people there under a bridge, and it’s horrible to see that. It’s like seeing it in a movie; it’s surreal. You don’t expect to see it in Australia,” Shaun said.
“I think: how can that happen? As a society I think we have a bit to look at and to do better.”
By the end of his 50 days, Shaun will have ridden his bike 1000 kilometres, swam 35 kilometres, and run 250 kilometres, but the distance doesn’t drive him – it’s about continuing to get the word out.
“I haven’t got to the end yet, but I’d like to keep it going; what it stands for. I want to get people involved and to take it on, I want them to spread the word and the conversation to inspire others,” he said.
Shaun said Hero50 is open to anyone interested to come along and participate in a swim, bike, or run. His own Hero50 will finish up on June 18 at Chances Café for a sausage sizzle in the early morning.
If you’d like to follow Shaun’s journey or support him through donations, head to the hero50 website, Facebook, or Instagram.
Shaun Brown is completing 50 triathlons in 50 days to raise money for local charities
Shaun has been joined by countless friends over his first 28 days
Local triathlon clubs have regularly come out to run, swim, and bike alongside Shaun during his mammoth effort
