There was a few moments during the past week where Jo Arndell questioned what she was doing.
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Standing in the rain wondering how to get past a flooded causeway on the way to Narromine was one of those.
But the support shown on that occasion and throughout a gruelling six days allowed her and a large group of keen athletes from the Dubbo region to take on the virtual Romanian Ultra Race.
Arndell finished the 250km event alongside Katie Lyons on Thursday morning
"It was amazing," Arndell said, before looking back at the feat.
"There was a lot of rain and mud and river crossing and we went all over Dubbo to get the kilometres up and there was times you felt you couldn't do it but the others were there to say you could.
"It was a massive high this morning when we finished."
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The annual event in Romania involves competitors completing a 250km course in a week but due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions a virtual event was created this year.
No matter where they were around the globe, athletes were able to take part and were given 25 days to complete the event so it could be worked around work and family commitments.
But Arndell, Lyons and some from the Dubbo group took on the challenge of completing it in the six days.
On average it was a full 42km marathon each day but 70kms was completed on one occasion and then it finished with a half marathon for Arndell and Lyons on Thursday morning.
"It was amazing. I never would have done this on my own" Arndell said.
"When it was first mentioned I thought it was crazy but we encouraged one another and did it.
"Every day we had people running or walking with us and getting us hot chips of coffee so it was great."
Given the extreme lengths it wasn't all running, with plenty of walking done during trips around Dubbo, to Beni Forest, and to Geurie and Narromine.
The past week threw up some challenges as well, especially during what was an extremely wet weekend.
"There was a lot of mud in the forest so some slipping and sliding and then on the way to Narromine there was a flooded causeway," Arndell said.
"It was about 30m of road that was un-passable but thankfully a farmer pulled up and asked what we were doing and we all ended up piling on the ute and got across with dry feet."
There was a group of 18 runners from the region who took part.
Lyons, an experienced long-distance competitor, designed a program for all involved and Arndell said it made a huge difference.
Arndell had completed a 100km event in the past but completing marathons back-to-back was a new experience for many involved.
The double marathon on one day and the backing up to go again the next morning was one of the biggest tests.
"We left when it was dark and finished when it was dark. Katie and I got to know each other well during that," Arndell laughed of the double marathon.
"We were having a laugh and a joke and telling silly stories. It's not fun if you can't have a laugh.
"It was all very social."
That aspect was one of the most satisfying and rewarding, as well as the support the Ultra Race has for charities.
Fifty per cent of every entry free went to Autism Voice.
"There's so many virtual events on now and they're challenging but knowing you're supporting something worthwhile makes it good," Arndell said.
"COVID has had such an impact on people, communities, and the world so it was good to be able to use money wisely."