For 11 hours, the 32-year-old athlete revelled in the bush environment as she completed the 100 kilometre Hume and Hovell Ultra Marathon at the weekend.

Starting in Tumbarumba and finishing in Tumut, the Hume and Hovell run is one of the Riverina's epic sporting events - but Jess Baker took it all in her stride.

"I loved it," Baker said yesterday.

"It was amazing.

"I saw my first brumby, and the natural beauty was spectacular."

Baker, who was originally from just outside London, but has lived in Sydney for seven years, was among 85 athletes to take to the trails and paths on Saturday to run through some of Australia's famous high country.

And, remarkably, she says the experience was surprisingly less taxing than running a regulation 42km marathon.

"At no stage did I even think about how far I had to go," she said.

"I suppose it's all to do with the pace you're running.

"Obviously you go slower up and down the hills than when you're running on a flat surface.

"And of course there was so much to look at.

"There were beautiful waterfalls, the horses, the wildlife, the wild flowers and everything else.

"It was gorgeous."

Inspired to run after her partner Roger Hanney competed in the event last year, Baker was the first woman to finish the 100km endurance test.

While Wagga runner Andrew Donaldson and Dave Graham crossed the line together as joint winners in 10 hours 45 minutes, Baker was the third runner to finish, only 18 minutes behind.

For Baker, the 100km "fun run" experience was an eye-opener for all manner of reasons, not the least scouting new territory.

"To be honest I'd never heard of Tumbarumba or Tumut before I decided to run," she said.

"I must admit I never knew the Hume and Hovell track existed too.

"The drive up there (Tumbarumba) was wonderful as well."

Reflecting on her achievement, Baker is adamant the contingent of Sydney runners were thrilled to take part.

"They'll all be back," she said.

"They all loved it.

"I understand 20 per cent of the runners were from Sydney.

"I'm sure there will be even more next year.

"It will only get bigger and bigger."

Baker's endorsement of the Hume and Hovell Ultra Marathon, which was launched in 2012 and has since grown each year, will command attention.

The Englishwoman has an international reputation, and recently won an ultra marathon in Japan.

Andrew Donaldson, meantime, yesterday described Baker as a fabulous athlete, and a formidable rival.

Donaldson and Graham, who finished tied after running together all the way, will race against Baker again in the 240km Coast to Kozi run on December 5.

Starting in Eden, the supreme test of endurance finishes at Mt Kosciuszko - and Baker is the record holder for the race.

"Dave and I are hoping break 30 hours," Donaldson said.

"We'll have to see."

Donald and Graham were in a group of four runners that planned to complete Saturday's event together, but two fell by the wayside.

Hume and Hovell Ultra Marathon

100km

Men

1 Dave Graham 10:45.01

1 Andrew Donaldson 10:45.01

3 Dale McCormack 11:27.06

Women

1 Jess Baker 11:03.40

2 Natalie Best 13:37.01

3 Anna Mullin 15:22.41

50km

Men

1 Ian Lochrin 4:11.27

2 Mick Donges 4:53.50

3 Kevin Muller 5:16.52

Women

1. Lucie Barney 4:51.07

2. Maggie Jones 5:04.27

3. Bryony McConnell 5:23.15