They stepped up training in early morning gym sessions and quick lunchtime runs in between working for their dad on the farm.

Sunday was their grand final, each setting out on Skipton Rail Trail to run a marathon. This was not about medals, or a virtual challenge. Each just wanted to see their goal through to the finish line.

The mission started with Mr Banks, a strength and conditioning coach, training his sister up in the netball off-season. Ms Hutchins decided she did not want to lose their fitness base, but rather test it to the limit.

Mr Banks changed up training with their aim to be the Melbourne Marathon, which was cancelled about a month out from what was to be race day on Sunday.

In coaching his sister, Mr Banks wanted to feel what his sister was pushing herself through and so he took on the challenge too.

"I had to learn a different kind of running (to football) - I am a nerd for learning about that sort of stuff," Mr Banks said.

"Dad (Denis) was a lifesaver. Some days he'd give us an hour for lunch or we might start a bit later so we could go for a run. We'd start from the front game and come back straight into work. Since COVID, I set up a gym in the shed and can have my gym sessions done and already be at work."

Race day was set for the pair to finish about the same time, setting off about half and hour apart.

Mr Banks said it was nice to see his sister on course. He had his partner Hannah riding beside him on her bike equipped with gels, drink bottles and music to fuel him along.

MORE ISO RUN-SPIRATION

Both finished their out-and-back 42.2-kilometre course well under their project times: Mr Banks in three hours, 11 minutes and 15 seconds; Ms Hutchins in 4:07:44.

"Overall we're just very happy and proud," Mr Banks said. "People are doing bigger things than us, but after losing footy and netball we saw this as a way to keep fit and lose a bit of weight."

They are both now aiming to shave time off the distance within the next three years or so in a bid to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

But, after a few celebratory drinks with family, dad Denis had them back in the shed working from 7.30am on Monday.

Meanwhile, runner Matt Burch has raised almost $7,000 by running a little more than a marathon in Ballarat on Sunday.

Burch, who had also planned to tackle the Melbourne Marathon, set out from Skipton to Ballarat along the rail trail and finished with a lap of Lake Wendouree.

When gyms closed, Mr Burch set himself a running challenge and added the challenge of fundraising for Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program.

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