“I really enjoyed it. Loved it, I think because of all the people.”

Her second attempt at the run Laura said she was happy with her time.

“It was the first time I was able to run at my own pace because the first time I was running with another person and trying to pace my speed against theirs,” she said.

“It was harder this time though because I was going at a faster pace and having to dodge and weave.”

In preparation for the event the 32-year-old was clocking up over 10km daily, five to six times a week.

“I’m really happy with the time and hopefully I’ll be able to better it next year.”

Running in distance events for more than 10 years Laura picked it up after gaining a few unwanted kilos.

“I’m fitter now than I was when I was 15, but I don’t believe in dieting, I’m not really strict when it comes to things like that, I believe when people restrict themselves on diets they’ll usually have a blow-out when they go off them,” Laura said.

Currently living in Medowie, Laura returned from a 10km Tamworth run last weekend where she placed first in her age category and fourth in the women’s.

Laura’s success comes as no surprise to her coach Charles Ringut who said among all the members of the Tea Gardens Runners she holds the fastest times for the 6, 8 and 10km runs.

“Laura is a very good competitor who will go a long way in distance running and she will eventually run a very good marathon.”

Laura will compete in the 10km Lake Macquarie marathon on Sunday.