Despite just having completed 42.2 kilometres, the pair ran across the finish line, cheering and holding their arms up as they did so. They did it in five hours and 38 minutes.

It was an amazing effort and left both of them with big smiles on their faces, even in the days after.

Despite having never run a marathon before, Yeo, 60, and Fernando, 47, said they were surprised by how well they felt the day after.

They described the ‘immense high’ of accomplishing their goal, one they saw as nearly impossible six months ago.

“I don’t know how to describe it. It was hard to believe we were actually doing it to start with,” Helen said.

“We went through tough periods where we were both hurting but at no stage did either of us say ‘let’s stop’ or ‘we can’t go any further’ or we were going to pull out.”

Toni said the hard work they had put in at training was what gave them the confidence they could make it.

“When we got to three kays out I knew we would do it and then we had all our Vixens [and Kits, a Dubbo running group] friends come and help us run the last kay,” she said. “I just couldn’t stop smiling.”

The pair said they were just normal people who decided to take part but many in Dubbo have found their journey inspirational, with social media lighting up prior to the event.

“The support was unbelievable, especially from our vixen friends. but also the general community,” Helen said.

There was also a moment in the race that left the pair amazed by the impact their undertaking had.

“One of the ladies in the half marathon, who looked like she was an elite runner, ran past us as she was about to go back into the zoo and she looked back and said ‘you ladies inspire me’ and I just thought ‘really?’,” Toni said.

The pair wished to thank the Stampede Committee and volunteers for making the event a success.