“I started on a health journey in January and decided that I needed to get myself in shape. I joined one of the local gyms and when the Stampede came up I thought ‘why not?’” she said.

Ms Bannerman is among those who will compete in the Dingo Dash in the Dubbo Stampede. It’s the first time the competitor has taken part in the event.

“I’ll test my fitness and prove to myself that all of my hard work hasn’t been for nothing,” she said.

While she hasn’t yet completed her first Stampede, Ms Bannerman said she was already planning on doing the Dingo Dash in 2018. Her long term goal was to do the City to Surf, she said.

“I’ve lost two brothers in the last three years which made me realise life is too short. You can’t sit around and go ‘what if? what if?’, you’ve got to take the opportunities you’ve been given,” Ms Bannerman said.

“I’ve had family members say to me ‘you might be overdoing it a little bit’, but I think ‘you’re the ones not extending yourself’. When I really don’t feel like getting on the treadmill I say ‘this is for you’. I’m looking forward to the Stampede.”

Rather than let her negative thoughts turn into negative actions, Ms Bannerman said she had changed her way of thinking.

“You can sit around and say ‘I wish I could buy that new dress’ or you can do something about it. Other people can do it, why not me? That’s my motto, ‘you can’t say ‘why me?’ say ‘why not?’” she said.

To prepare for the Stampede the 52-year-old said she had been working to build up her cardio through runs on the treadmill and boxing. Ms Bannerman has also joined parkrun.

“I do parkrun every Saturday. My time on the weekend was 54 minutes. When I first started – ten weeks ago – it would take me an hour and ten minutes. All my hard work is paying off,” she said.

In the Stampede, the participant is hoping to improve her time even more by finishing the race at 50 minutes.

“When I finish you’ll hear me shout it from the rooftops. I’ll be so impressed with myself,” Ms Bannerman said.

While she wishes she had started her health journey 20 years ago, Ms Bannerman said she also wanted to encourage others to make a change.

“I’m older, I’m 52 [years-old]. I just want to say to people ‘don’t sit on the lounge thinking about what you’re going to do’, say ‘I can do it’. Don’t think ‘why me?’ say ‘why not?’” Ms Bannerman said.

The Dubbo Stampede will be held August 27 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Entries for the event are open until 11.59pm on Friday, August 25.

To register or get further information about the Dubbo Stampede go to www.dubbostampede.com.au.