“It was an amazing experience,” Christou said.

“It was so good to go into another country and experience that with other runners from around the world.”

Having been a part of local indigenous running group Queanbeyan Deadly Runners for two years, Christou was one of six members who travelled to Hawaii to compete in the Maui Marathon in mid-September.

However, Christou’s experience would not have happened if it weren’t for the generosity of the community. The group’s founder, Georgia Gleeson, suggested they should run in an overseas event in May. With only five months to prepare, the Deadly Runners dedicated their time to training while spending their spare time attempting to raise $5000.

“We did a trivia night which was excellent, we did sausage sizzles, and we fundraised at the Christmas in July event at the showgrounds,” Christou said.

These efforts combined with an online crowdfunding campaign meant that the group raised more than the goal of $5000. The extra money raised will continue to help fund registration fees in local marathons and fun runs.

“All the members in our community, they assisted us, and we couldn’t have done it without them,” Christou said.

After reaching Maui, the 61-year-old was thrilled with her run.

“We started running at five o’clock in the morning, and I finished about three hours later,” Christou said.

Although she was pleased by her achievement, she was affected by the heat and humidity.

“The sun came up at seven o’clock, and as soon as the sun hits you, you feel the heat,” Christou said.

“The humidity would have been 71 per cent and the temperature 27 or 28 degrees, and we trained in minus-four.”

Despite only having returned from Hawaii in the past fortnight, Queanbeyan Deadly Runners are already trying to decide on which overseas marathon they will compete in next.

As some members were turned off because of the heat in Maui, the next marathon will be somewhere with similar weather to home, Christou said.