But now the event is upon her, Donna Jones is wondering what she has committed herself to.
The Otago University Students Association (OUSA) Diversity Swing Dancers decided to learn the energetic jazz and jive dance style for the marathon at the Dunedin Town Hall today, and even the training had been tiring, OUSA secretary Ms Jones said.
"We'll probably be moving pretty slowly by the end of 12 hours. It will be adrenaline keeping us going."
The OUSA team - student support centre manager Amy Prebble, events assistant manager Sarah Comer, women's representative Claire Jackson, students Wills Lynton and Stephanie Kane and Ms Jones - is one of 10 taking part in the marathon from noon to midnight.
At least three people have to be on the floor dancing at any time.
As well as a dance marathon, the event would be a showcase of dance in the city, organiser Susie Yeats, from Volunteering Otago, said.
Eighteen groups would perform dance or body movement styles including Bollywood, hip hop, square dancing, Highland dancing, line dancing, swing, kapa haka, body jam aerobics, yoga and ceroc.
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin would perform as a guest artist, as would visiting Auckland hip-hop group Dziah.
Former All Black and Dancing with the Stars contestant Frank Bunce would be the compere.
Spectators could "have a go" on the downstairs dance floor, or sit upstairs and watch the performances and demonstrations, Ms Yeats said.
The marathon was a way of allowing groups who might not otherwise do so an opportunity to perform in the town hall, she said, plus was an opportunity for dance teams to gain sponsorship and raise money for charity.
"Dance marathons were a huge phenomenon in the United States in the 1960s, but this is a first for Dunedin."
She hoped the event would become an annual one.
