Last (55), a health claims administrator from Ontario, Canada, was struggling to find a bed in Dunedin for the September 11 marathon, which takes place on the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup.
She had "endless attempts" at securing accommodation, but failed to even get a campervan.
So she and husband Tim decided to "bite the bullet" and purchase a rugby package, including a ticket to the England-Argentina game at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Last joined a gym at the age of 40 and four years later ran her first marathon.
With a best time of 4hr 48min 39sec for the marathon, Last will be using the half-marathon section of the Moro-sponsored Dunedin event as part of her build-up to running the New York Marathon on November 6.
"I have the New York Marathon on my bucket list," she said.
"I love to travel and running marathons takes me to places I would not normally visit. I like to say I run to travel, and I travel to run."
Last and her husband plan to take in a few of the Dunedin sights on their trip.
She has fond memories of running in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington two years ago.
"When running past the Pentagon I happened upon a marine with one leg, running the course on crutches," she said.
"It brought home the fact that though the Pentagon had been repaired since the 9/11 attacks, the damage is ongoing. At the same time I silently gave thanks to that marine."
Last ran the Kentucky Derby Marathon in 2008 and was left questioning her sanity.
"I was physically sick on race day and I fell flat on my backside at the 16 mile mark. But I picked myself up, dusted myself off and finished the darn thing."
The couple are regular visitors to New Zealand, as their son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons live in Wellington.
Husband Tim, with a number of marathons and the Florida Ironman under his belt, will not be contesting the Dunedin event.
