German sets record in charity run

Heukemes had to overcome many hurdles during his 43-day run

A German man has completed a 43-day run across Australia to raise awareness for the victims of the Asian tsunami.

Ultra-marathon runner Achim Heukemes, 52, set a new record for the fastest crossing of Australia.

The athlete started his epic journey in Fremantle, south of Perth, on 2 April, and arrived in Sydney on Sunday.

He ran for the charity Oxfam, which estimates that funds raised will be enough to guarantee fresh water and housing for thousands of Indonesians.

"I wanted to show that I'm prepared to suffer for 43 days myself in relation to the tsunami victims and also to raise awareness," Mr Heukemes said.

"I wanted to set an example in regards to humanity.

"When you see somebody suffering you should help those people out on your own behalf."

On his coast to coast run, he sometimes had to set off in the middle of the night to avoid the heat, his manager, Franz Brandmueller, said.

His legs got so badly sunburnt that he had to wear his wife's tights to protect them.

Mr Heukemes, who averaged 105 km a day, beat the previous record of 47 days set by a Frenchman, Serge Girard, in 1999.