Two years ago Amanda Lorger completed the full marathon in the Beach to Brother Trail Running Festival after she lost her mother to brain damage.

Twenty-four months on, the youngest of four siblings will do it for her older brother who passed away in June this year following a heart attack.

The 39-year-old mother of three has been through the ringer in recent times, but she's a resilient woman who will also compete in her fifth Beach to Brother event and fourth half-marathon on November 14.

"If I can handle the grief, I can handle the mountain because there's no point moping around feeling sorry for yourself or anybody else," she told the Port News.

"Two years ago I did it for my mum and two years later I'm doing it for my brother. I don't know if I can handle doing it again in two more years because I couldn't handle another death."

Mrs Lorger has discovered an inner strength and despite going through two deaths in the family in a short time, she still climbs out of bed and exercises.

"Life's too short," she said.

It will be a mental challenge as much of a physical one when she starts the 21.1 kilometre course that starts at Lake Cathie and winds its way to the top of North Brother Mountain.

Motivation and inspiration won't be a problem. Her brother and mother will be at the front of her mind.

"I don't give in anyway, but I pull strength from what I've been through," she said.

"It 100 percent will give me another reason to want to go and climb the mountain just to show my strength and I know my mum and my brother will be proud of what I achieve."

The Port Macquarie mum is considered a genuine chance of a top three finish, but she doesn't intend on focusing on the result.

"I don't go into these events to win, however, being on the podium is a bonus," she said.

"I will always have previous times written on my hand that I've run it in, however the weather plays a big part on the day. We don't start until 7.30am and I'm always home by 7.30am so it's later and I'm going to be out running when it's hotter.

"We'll see how it goes, but I won't take it easy."

The Port Macquarie Pacer said the enjoyment of competing in a local event was the key reason why she returned every year.

Only a handful of runners will have completed all five events.

"It is a local event, I get to sleep in my own bed the night before and can have my family come along and support me and be at the finish line," she said.

"It's challenging climbing the mountain, but (running) is just in me. I've always been an active person so it's not really a big thing when I train for an event because I'm always active.

"It makes it easier to get up in the morning and train for an event like Beach to Brother when you're surrounded by like-minded people."

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