Wanaka volunteer firefighter Mark Basson may also be the last to cross the finish line, though it could be in a world record time.
Mr Basson (40) will run the 21km, from just below the Cardrona skifield entrance to Pembroke Park in Wanaka, attempting to break the world record for running the fastest half marathon in full firefighting gear and raising money for the Mental Health Foundation at the same time.
He nearly broke the record in 2019.
Mr Basson said the gear, which had to include a breathing apparatus, added an extra 23kg which would probably be about 25kg by the end of the race due to perspiration.
Mr Basson emigrated from South Africa with his wife and two children 18 months ago and is working as a carpenter for Cook Brothers Construction.
A former paramedic, volunteer firefighter and mountain rescuer in South Africa for 15 years, Mr Basson also spent time in the Middle East as a medic and private security contractor.
Mr Basson is raising funds for mental health nz after his own battles with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
He said initially trying to get help was very difficult because it was too expensive or he had to drive to Dunedin for treatment.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand had since paid for his counselling but it was "a big problem" for other people who needed help but who could not afford it, he said.
"If I can try to raise money and get people that really want help then I can really do some good."
The world record for running a half marathon in full firefighting gear is 3hr 20min 40sec.
Mr Basson was aiming to run it in 3hr 15min and raise $5000 at the same time.
