Blanchard has been chipping at this 14,080 kilometre goal - about the equivalent of 2346 laps of the lake - for more than five years.

While Blanchard set out well before border closures and virtual runs were a big thing, she said it was interesting to finish her national goal in a completely different environment. Online event Run Down Under has also been a goal that has helped keep the run coach motivated in a year where major running events have been scrapped or moved online amid the pandemic.

"Early in the year so many people were disheartened when events they had been training for were cancelled but people who kept training realised it's not just about going and doing events," Blanchard said.

"There is a different attitude towards virtual runs and there has been a bit of a divide where some runners believe it doesn't count. But, if you're training, you can still get out there and do it and you can often get your medal. Virtual runs are also a motivator for many people who might not be in a position to enter a major event."

The Canberra Times Marathon in April was to have been Blanchard's final marathon event in a bookend of sorts for her running. She had run her first half-marathon before she turned 40 and wanted to clock up a final marathon before turning 50 this year.

Blanchard and her running group ran their own races in isolation, including well-known technology guru George Fong, who completed his first half-marathon before his 60^th birthday alone in pouring rain on the Skipton Rail Trail instead of in Canberra.

For Blanchard, each structured, recorded run counted in her lap of Australia.

From setting out on New Year's Day 2015, Blanchard chalked up four marathon events, 14 half-marathons, 57 parkruns, coached runners and ran abroad in the United States, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vanuatu and China.

Blanchard averaged 11.75 kilometres per run and four runs a week for 300 weeks.

Most participants are on track to lap Australia within 15 years, walking or running.

Run Down Under founder Travis Ireland launched the concept in 2014 when his personal running goal, to lap Australia, was not exactly feasible. He started with a spreadsheet and put the call out for others to join in his quest and it took off with 750 runners kick-starting the event.

Blanchard is the 119^th to complete the venture.

Ireland told The Courier the pandemic had undoubtedly changed the culture of running with major events. London Marathon on Sunday has attracted 45,000 entrants. Elites will finish the race with a closed loop within St James' Park.

Weekly global community event (not)Parkrun has adopted an online format for people to record a five-kilometre run or walk for their nominated home course. Ballarat's (not)Parkrun consistently ranks within the top five for participation in Australia.

READ MORE

"It might be better to be at an event, to train and be part of it but it has been really positive because people know they can still run," Ireland said. "Mine is different in that it's a long-term goal. I don't care about your speed, I have no desire to know how fast you go, it's about everyone getting out there and covering that distance."

Blanchard passed through 98 town points, marked as mini goals on her journey. Each time she received an email with details about the area. They kept her motivated along the way.

Friends safely lined the lake for Blanchard's final 6km stretch, presenting her with balloons and posters at the end.

"My plans didn't change because events were cancelled," Blanchard said. "It's about going back to basics for people of why they're doing it."

Blanchard's efforts are now channelled into running a slightly smaller 3,890-kilometre course around the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.