Heavy going for good cause

Wanaka volunteer firefighter Mark Basson  (above, wearing yellow helmet) raised more than $2300 for Mental Health New Zealand at the weekend, when he finished 16 minutes short of a world record for running a half-marathon in full firefighting gear.

The 40-year-old Cook Brothers Construction carpenter crossed the finish line of the Southern Lakes Half Marathon in Pembroke Park in 3hr 36min 58sec.

The world record is 3hr 20min 40sec.