The Heavy Breathers completed the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon on the 14th of September. A marathon is a long way. Pretty tiring stuff. So tiring that they couldn’t be fucked being interviewed about it for this article. Fair enough.
The Heavy Breathers began in 2023: 33 boys who raised $100k to support men’s mental health through the charity Spark That Chat. This year, the group ballooned into fifty breathas, many of whom are the little brothers of the OG crew. They’d chosen Lads with Labels as their charity this time round. Critic Te Ārohi last spoke to the group in May at the beginning of their 18-week training period. Most hadn’t run a marathon before, but it was about more than that: bonding with the bros, and raising funds for a worthy cause – one especially felt among the “toughen up” Castle culture.
While Critic had envisaged interviewing the team to support this article, with alarming dexterity – and what some would say ‘a marathon effort’ – they have managed to avoid every interview opportunity, citing they are all pretty keen for a break from the admin. And like, fair enough. Critic considered chasing them down Castle Street for an interview, but reckoned the boys would outrun us and didn’t feel like facing that particular embarrassment. The only comments received were at a host and heard in an unprofessional context where both Critic and interviewee were extremely drunk and unable to remember the exact conversation.
This is the gist of it. Every Heavy Breather at the start line crossed that finish line, cheered by an army of supporters; friends, family, and the breathers who couldn’t run because of injury. The group’s initial fundraising goal was $10,000, saying in May that they were aiming a little higher. At the time of publication, their Givealittle page is almost at $42,000 – well surpassing their goal.
Back in May, a week into their training, Critic had also asked what they’re going to do after the marathon. “I think everyone’s already thought about that,” they replied. One added, “When I’m running, that’s what’s in the back of my head.” They envisaged their families coming down to see them, their girlfriends, anyone else important to them. And a big host, of course, reminiscing about the healing power of beer their older brothers had experienced after their marathon. “It was so funny,” said one. “They had drinks when they couldn’t walk and then they got a bit drunk and could start walking again.”
An eagle-eyed Critic Te Ārohi had spotted a bunch of Heavy Breathers post marathon during the Biggie’s pizza eating competition. The boys were no different to their brothers. Each one staggered in, one after the other to Courtyard, two beers in each hand and hair wet (hopefully from a post 42km shower and not sweat). A few were late and did this odd sort of jog-hobble thing where each step got a grimace but conveyed a sense of urgency to see the competition.
There was a wholesome moment when about six of them climbed up on a big box to see better and gripped onto each other, swaying as one, as if to say, “If one breather’s legs give out, we’re all going down as a team.” That’s really all you need to see to show the marathon made the change these boys advocated for. While it spread awareness for a worthy cause, it also brought these boys together to support each other and their mental health. In that way, running the marathon as a team not only raised money for others, but also benefited themselves.
The money raised by the Heavy Breathers will be going to Lads Without Labels, a charity dedicated to improving men’s mental health. Campus-based support is available for University of Otago tauira struggling with their mental health. Free, same-day Mental Health and Wellbeing appointments can be booked in at Student Health by calling 03 479 8212, or hit up OUSA Student Support.